“There are four hundred and eighty temples left from the Southern Dynasty (AD 420-581), with numerous pavilions and terraces in drizzles ” (Southern Dynasty is also known as the Southern and Northern Dynasties (AD 420 to 589).

This line is from a poem composed by Du Mu, a famous poet who lived from about 803 to 852). There were a great number of famous Buddhist monks including Bodhidharma (a Buddhist monk who lived during the 5th or 6th century CE), Faxian (a prominent monk who lived from 334-422) and Yun Guang (a monk in the Southern and Northern Dynasties). There are a great many splendid temples like Qixia Temple, Jiming Temple, Linggu Temple and Pilu Temple, and rich Buddhist cultural deposits, countless cultural remains of Buddhism, and the latest archaeological discoveries such as Buddhist relics, all of which have made Nanjing the city of Buddhism. With its incense smoke, Zen tone, bell ringing, and worshiping, it’s a place for purifying one’s soul.

Qixia Temple

Qixia Temple is the origin of San Lun School or Three Treatise School in Chinese Buddhism and is listed among the four biggest temples in the country. The dagoba, first built in 601, is a cultural relic unit under state-level protection. The grotto statuary, built from 489 to 511, is now a house for Buddhist relics, representing the grotto art of our country.

Admission: 20 Yuan (it may go up during the red maple festival)

Tel: 85768152

Address: No 88 Qixia Street

Hours: 7:00-17:30

Transportation: take bus Nanqi line, Longqi line, Nanshang line, Sheyao line or Dongshang line to Qixia Temple station.

Website: www.njqxs.com

Xuanzang Temple

Xuanzang Temple is located in Jiuhua Mountain in Nanjing. The famous Buddhist monk Zhu Dao Sheng used to live here. San Zang Dagoba, built in the period of the Republic of China (1912-1949), houses the relics of Xuanzang, a world-famous monk in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).

Admission: 10 Yuan

Tel: 83213373

Address: Jiuhua Mountain, East Beijing Rd.

Hours: 8:30-17:30

Transportation: take bus No 2, 11, 20, 24, 44, 48, 67, 70, and 140 to East Beijing Road station.

Jiming Temple

Jiming Temple is the oldest temple in Nanjing. Its predecessor was Tong Tai Temple built by Emperor Wu of Liang (464-549). It enjoys splendid buildings with incense smoke wafting around, attracting numerous tourists every year.

Admission: seven yuan

Tel: 57715595

Hours: 7:00-17:00

Transportation: take bus No 1, 2, 3, 11, 20, 24, 31, 44, 48, 52, 67, 70, 304 to Jiming Temple station.

Linggu Temple

Address: Zijin Mountain Scenic Area

Pilu Temple

Address: No 4 Hanfu Street

The Tower of Hongjue Temple

Address: Niushou Mountain, Guli Street, Jiangning district

Dinglin Temple

Address: Fangshan Scenic Region, Dongshan Street, Jiangning district

The Temple of Dragon Spring

Address: Niushou Mountain Scenic spot, Jiangning district

Huiji Temple

Address: Tangquan Street, Pukou district

Doushuai Temple

Address: Laoshan Scenic Spot, Pukou district

Lingyan Temple

Address: Xiongzhou Street, Liuhe district

Zhenru Temple

Address: Youzi Mountain Scenic spot, Dongba town, Gaochun district

The Tower of Baosheng Temple Address: Baota Street, Gaochun District

Since the introduction and spread of Buddhism into China nearly 2000 years ago, Nanjing had played a decisive role in the development of Buddhism in the country. A lot of famous temples and Buddhist monks appeared here in history. Archaeological diggins discovered the parietal bone of Sakyamuni which has been treasured under the relics of a famous temple in the early Ming Dynasty. Therefore, Nanjing became a Buddhism culture center in China.

Famous Temples Recommended:

Qixia Temple

Address: In the Qixia Mountain Scenic Area

Xuanzang Temple

Address: On the top of Jiuhua Hill

Jiming Temple

Address: On the top of Jilong Hill

Linggu Temple

Address: In the Zhongshan Scenic Area

Pilu Temple

Address: No 4, Hanfu Jie