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[2024 Kaifeng Attraction] Travel Guide for Daxiangguo Temple (Updated Nov)

Temples

Address:

No. 36, West Section of Freedom Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City

Opening times:

Opens at 08:00-18:00Open

Recommended sightseeing time:

1-2 hours

Phone:

0371-25978502,0371-22733099,0378-5665982

The Millennium Daxiangguo Temple is a legendary temple in Kaifeng.

🌈 Highlights Daxiangguo Temple is one of the iconic attractions in Kaifeng😎. It has a long history and an ancient and elegant architectural style. There are many magnificent buildings such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the Mahavira Hall, with carved beams and painted rafters, which are of great artistic value. The temple also houses a rich collection of Buddhist cultural relics, such as the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Statue, which is exquisitely shaped, solemn, and awe-inspiring. Walking in the temple, you can feel the strong religious atmosphere and profound historical heritage🧐. 📍Address No. 36, West Section of Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province. 🕐Opening hours: 08:00–18:00. 🎫Tickets Adult ticket: CNY 37/person; Discounted ticket: CNY 19/person. Tickets can be purchased on-site or booked on Trip.com. 📝Best time to visit Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit, with suitable temperatures for sightseeing. There are often folk activities during this time, allowing you to better experience the local culture. 🚘Transportation 1. 🚌Bus: Take bus No. 1, 4, 8, 16, or 20 to Xiangguo Temple Station. 2. 🚕Taxi: It is also convenient to take a taxi in the urban area. Just tell the driver to go to Daxiangguo Temple. 📅Travel tips ☑️Must-see attractions: Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Octagonal Glazed Hall, Sutra Library, etc. ☑️Travel route: Enter from the mountain gate, visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings first, and feel the majesty of the Four Heavenly Kings; then go to the Mahavira Hall to admire the Buddha statues; then go to the Octagonal Glazed Hall to admire the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Statue; finally, go to the Sutra Library to learn about the cultural classics of the temple. 🍱What to eat 1. 🍜Soup dumplings: A specialty of Kaifeng, with thin skin, large filling, and delicious soup. 2. 🥟Potstickers: Crispy on the outside, fresh and fragrant on the inside, with a rich taste. 3. 🍢Fried cold noodles: Smooth cold noodles with sauce, a unique taste. 4. 🥩Bucket chicken: Firm chicken, salty and delicious. 💗Other tips 1. Respect the religious beliefs and regulations of the temple, and do not make loud noises. 2. It is recommended to hire a tour guide to better understand the history and culture of Daxiangguo Temple. 3. The tour takes about 2–3 hours, so you can plan your itinerary reasonably. 4. Pay attention to food hygiene and prices when buying snacks.

MAKAYLA CHAMBERS

Xiangguo Temple | A thousand-year-old royal temple.

Stepping into Xiangguo Temple is like entering an ancient and mysterious world. This thousand-year-old temple, with its profound cultural heritage and solemn religious atmosphere, left me deeply impressed. Xiangguo Temple is located in Kaifeng, Henan Province. It was a royal temple during the Northern Song Dynasty and is one of the famous Han Buddhist temples in China. The temple is bustling with worshippers, and the air is filled with a faint scent of sandalwood, which makes people feel calm. Upon entering the temple, the first thing that catches the eye is the magnificent Mahavira Hall. The golden Buddha statues inside the hall are solemn and majestic, as if telling the story of a thousand years of vicissitudes and changes. I clasped my hands in prayer and felt a surge of inexplicable emotion. During the tour, I noticed that the architectural style of Xiangguo Temple is unique, combining ancient architectural art and Buddhist culture. Each hall and each Buddha statue contains profound cultural connotations, making people marvel at the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient craftsmen and the profoundness of Buddhist culture. In addition to the architecture and Buddha statues, Xiangguo Temple also houses many precious cultural relics and artworks. These relics not only showcase the prosperity and splendor of ancient Buddhist culture but also provide valuable information for us to understand history and inherit culture. In Xiangguo Temple, I also met many devout believers. They clasped their hands in prayer or recited scriptures quietly, with a peaceful and serene expression on their faces. This atmosphere made me feel the unique charm of Buddhist culture and gave me a deeper understanding of the power of faith. After the tour, I felt that my soul had been purified and sublimated. Xiangguo Temple is not only an ancient temple but also a place where people seek inner peace and the power of faith. Here, I felt the depth and breadth of Buddhist culture and experienced the strength and courage that faith brings to people. This trip to Xiangguo Temple gave me a deeper understanding and knowledge of Buddhist culture. I believe that in the future, I will continue to explore and learn, and strive to inherit and promote the excellent traditional Chinese culture.

MACKENZIE MEYER

Kaifeng | Daxiangguo Temple, a thousand-year-old temple and royal temple.

|Daxiangguo Temple, a thousand-year-old temple and royal temple. Kaifeng | Daxiangguo Temple, a thousand-year-old temple and royal temple Address: No. 36, West Section, Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province Opening hours: 8:00-18:30 Ticket: CNY 40 (buy on site or book online) Transportation: Bus No. 16 Treasure of the temple - Thousand-Hand and Thousand-Eye Guanyin Daxiangguo Temple is one of the top ten Chinese Buddhist temples in China. It was originally the residence of Wei Gongzi Wuji Xinlingjun. It was first built in the 6th year of Tianbao of Emperor Wenxuan of Northern Qi (555 AD), and was later rebuilt by Monk Huiyun in the first year of Chang'an of Tang Dynasty (701 AD). In the first year of Yanhe of Tang Dynasty (712 AD), Tang Ruizong Li Dan renamed Jianguo Temple as "Daxiangguo Temple" in memory of his ascension to the throne from the prince, and personally wrote the plaque of "Daxiangguo Temple". The architectural layout of Daxiangguo Temple adopts the palace-style architectural style, which is neatly arranged along a central axis from south to north, including the mountain gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Hall of the Great Heroes, the Arhat Hall, the Sutra Building and other halls. Main attractions: 1 "Xiangguo Frost Bell", 4 meters high and weighing 10,000 tons, is known as one of the eight scenic spots in Kaifeng. It is spectacular and located in front of the gate drum tower, which is very popular. 2 The glazed octagonal building is the place with the most incense. Pilgrims basically have to queue up to worship Buddha. There are three layers inside and outside. The treasure of Daxiangguo Temple, a "Thousand-Hand and Thousand-Eye Guanyin", is enshrined here, which is very shocking. 3 The Sutra Building contains precious scriptures and documents, etc. It is worth visiting for friends who are interested in studying Buddhist Zen stories. 4 There is a small square with a sculpture of Lu Zhishen pulling out willows at the door, which is a good place for check-in photos and rest.

FAYE DANIEL

Kaifeng - Daxiangguo Temple - A thousand-year-old temple, a royal temple.

Kaifeng | Daxiangguo Temple ||| A thousand-year-old temple, a royal temple Daxiangguo Temple, one of the four famous temples in Central Plains ||| Daxiangguo Temple was built in the 6th year of Tianbao of the Northern Qi Dynasty (555 AD). In the first year of Yanhe of the Tang Dynasty (712 AD), Emperor Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty named it Daxiangguo Temple in memory of his ascension to the throne from the prince. During the Northern Song Dynasty, Daxiangguo Temple was deeply respected by the royal family and was expanded many times. It was the largest temple in the capital and the center of Buddhist activities in the country. It was later damaged due to wars and floods. It was rebuilt in the tenth year of Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty (1671 AD). Daxiangguo Temple currently has the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Hall of the Great Sage, the Octagonal Glazed Hall, the Sutra Tower, and the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Buddha and other ancient temple relics. 📍Address: No. 36, West Section of Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province 🕐Opening hours: 8:00-18:30 🎫Tickets: CNY 40 (buy on-site or book online) 🚎Transportation: Bus No. 16 ⭐⭐⭐The treasure of the temple - Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin 😘Main attractions: 1️⃣"Xiangguo Frost Bell", 4 meters high, weighing 10,000 tons, known as one of the eight scenic spots in Kaifeng, is spectacular. It is located in front of the Drum Tower at the entrance and is very popular. 2️⃣Glazed octagonal building, this is the place with the most incense, and pilgrims basically have to line up to worship the Buddha. There are three layers inside and three layers outside. The treasure of Daxiangguo Temple, a "Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin", is enshrined here, which is very shocking. 3️⃣Sutra Tower, which contains precious scriptures, documents, etc. It is worth a visit for friends who are interested in studying Buddhist Zen stories. 4️⃣There is a sculpture square at the entrance where Lu Zhishen pulls out the willow, which is a good place for check-in photos and rest.

SerendipitousQuintessenceWhimsy

Kaifeng | Daxiangguo Temple || A thousand-year-old ancient temple, a royal-style Buddhist holy place

| Daxiangguo Temple || A thousand-year-old ancient temple, a royal-style Buddhist holy place. 📍Location: No. 36, West Side of Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province 🕒Opening Hours: From 8:00 AM to 6:30 PM 🎟Admission Ticket: 40 RMB (supports on-site purchase and online booking) 🚌Transportation Guide: Take bus No. 16 to reach ⭐⭐⭐Treasures in the Temple - Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara Daxiangguo Temple, as one of the top ten Han Buddhist holy places in China, has a history that can be traced back to the former residence of Prince Wei, Xinling Jun, and was initially built in the sixth year of Tianbao of Emperor Wenxuan of the Northern Qi Dynasty (555 AD). It was later rebuilt and expanded by the eminent monk Huiyun in the first year of Chang'an of the Tang Dynasty (701 AD). By the first year of Yanhe of the Tang Dynasty (712 AD), Emperor Ruizong of Tang, Li Dan, named it "Daxiangguo Temple" to commemorate his ascension to the throne from Prince Xiang and inscribed the temple's name plaque, endowing it with the noble status of a royal temple. The architectural design of Daxiangguo Temple adopts a solemn palace style, arranged in sequence from south to north along the central axis, including the Mountain Gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, Arhat Hall, Sutra Library Pavilion, and other magnificent halls, showcasing the beauty of orderly layout. Main Highlights: 1️⃣ "Morning Bell of Xiangguo", standing four meters high and weighing ten thousand pounds, is known as one of the eight scenic spots of Kaifeng. Its spectacular sight stands in front of the entrance drum tower and is deeply loved by tourists. 2️⃣ The splendid glazed octagonal pavilion, where incense is flourishing and believers are in an endless stream, requires queuing to admire the temple's treasure - the "Thousand-Armed and Thousand-Eyed Avalokitesvara", whose image is breathtaking. 3️⃣ Sutra Library Pavilion, which houses many rare Buddhist scriptures, ancient books, and other cultural treasures, is an invaluable place for scholars and enthusiasts studying Buddhist Zen principles and history. 4️⃣ Outside the temple gate, there is a small garden with a sculpture of Lu Zhishen pulling out a willow tree, providing an excellent background for tourists to take photos and an ideal place for relaxation.

Collins Robert Rob

Kaifeng Daxiangguo Temple

Daxiangguo Temple was first built in the sixth year of the Tianbao period of the Northern Qi Dynasty. During the Tang Dynasty, Emperor Ruizong of Tang bestowed the name Daxiangguo Temple. It has undergone construction and renovation through the Song, Ming, Qing, and Republic of China periods, making it a historically renowned temple. The Mahavira Hall was built during the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty and is praised as the 'First Hall of Central Plains.' Inside the Mahavira Hall, the Three Buddhas—Shakyamuni, Amitabha, and Bhaisajyaguru—are enshrined. The eighteen Arhats are enshrined on the platform bases on the east and west walls. Behind the Three Buddhas is a 'large sculpture of Guanyin on the Sea Island.' The 'Hall of Five Hundred Arhats' houses a statue of the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva, commonly known as the 'Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Buddha.' This is one of the thirty-two manifestations of Guanyin Bodhisattva and is considered a treasure of Daxiangguo Temple.

WanderlustPassports

A feast of sculpture, architecture, and Buddhist music

Daxiangguo Temple is said to be the former residence of Prince Xinling of the Wei State during the Warring States period. The name Daxiangguo Temple originated from Emperor Ruizong of the Tang Dynasty, Li Dan. He ascended the throne as Emperor with the title of Prince Xiang, and to commemorate this, he renamed the ancient temple, originally called Jianguo Temple, to Daxiangguo Temple. ⛰【Travel Guide】 📍Detailed Address: No. 36, West Section of Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City, Henan Province 🚗Transportation Guide: Public Transportation: Kaifeng Railway Station/Kaifeng Bus Station—Scenic Area Route 5/Route 29 Kaifeng East Bus Station—Scenic Area Route 4/Route 56 Self-driving: Navigate to Kaifeng Daxiangguo Temple (No. 36, West Section of Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City) 🕙Opening Hours: (March 11 - October 31, Monday - Sunday) 8:00 - 18:30 (November 1 - March 10 of the following year, Monday - Sunday) 8:00 - 18:00 💰Ticket Price: Adult ticket 40 yuan/person Children under 1.2 meters (excluding), seniors over 70 years old with ID can enjoy free admission Seniors aged 60-69 (with ID) half ticket, children 1.2 meters - 1.4 meters half ticket, full-time undergraduate and below students with ID and student ID can purchase discounted tickets. 🌟Highlights: 1. Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin Sculpture: Located in the Octagonal Glazed Hall, the Thousand-Hand Thousand-Eye Guanyin Sculpture is a symbolic artifact of Daxiangguo Temple. This four-faced sculpture is carved from a single giant ginkgo tree, took 58 years to complete, stands about 7 meters high, weighs 200 kilograms, is fully gilded, and is intricately carved, making it a masterpiece of Buddhist art. 2. Xiangguo Frost Bell: The copper bell hanging in the bell tower is a relic from the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty, weighing five tons, standing 2.23 meters high, with a diameter of 1.81 meters. It is inscribed with text, and its sound is loud and beautiful, especially clear and resonant in autumn and winter frost, echoing throughout the city, making it one of the eight scenic spots of Bianjing. 3. Buddhist Music: The Buddhist music of Daxiangguo Temple is a long-standing religious music with unique artistic and cultural value, listed as a national intangible cultural heritage. 4. Remnants of Genyue: These stones are among the historically famous "Four Famous Stones," scarce in resources, carrying rich historical and cultural connotations, and are a valuable cultural heritage of Daxiangguo Temple. 📌Tips: Daxiangguo Temple is about 2.5 kilometers from Kaifeng Railway Station and about 4.5 kilometers from Kaifeng East Bus Station, making transportation convenient. On the pedestrian street east of the scenic area, you can taste Kaifeng's specialty foods such as soup dumplings, Kaifeng's Four Treasures, almond tea, and peanut cake. You can also buy souvenirs like Kaifeng Bian embroidery and official porcelain in the scenic area.

AUEdiva___

The Daxiangguo Temple in Kaifeng is an ancient monastery that has stood for a thousand years

🌈🌈🌈 The Daxiangguo Temple features a traditional Chinese symmetrical layout, preserving the rich architectural style of the Ming and Qing dynasties. It faces south from the north and is divided into three courtyards. The main structures include the main gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Octagonal Glazed Hall, the Sutra Tower, etc. The halls on the east and west sides of the main hall and the cloisters stand opposite each other. The Sutra Tower and the Mahavira Hall are both Qing dynasty buildings, with double-eaved hip-and-gable roofs, layered brackets, and covered with yellow-green glazed tiles. The hall is surrounded by a white stone balustrade around the terrace. The Octagonal Glazed Hall rises high in the center, surrounded by a gallery, with glazed tile pieces covering the top, and bells hanging at the corners. Inside the hall, there is a seven-meter-tall wooden sculpture of the four-faced, thousand-armed and thousand-eyed Guanyin of Esoteric Buddhism, which is completely gilded. It is said to have been carved from a single ginkgo tree, and is exceptionally exquisite. The bell tower houses a giant bell from the Qing dynasty, about four meters high and weighing over ten thousand jin, known as the 'Frost Bell of Daxiangguo' and is one of the eight scenic spots of Kaifeng. 🚗 Transportation: Bus routes 5, 9, 20 🎫 Ticket Price: 40 RMB per person, half-price 20 RMB per person 📍 Address: No. 36, West Section of Freedom Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City

VERA BLAKE

Entering Bao Zheng's residence brings a significant sense of solemnity, complete with BGM

Finally checked in at the legendary Elephant Country Temple and Bao Zheng's residence, which comes with a childhood bonus. As soon as I walked in, I was reminded of the scenes from TV dramas. As a child, I dreamed of becoming a figure like Lord Bao. 😘😘😘 🌟 Highlights: Although the TV dramas have some adaptations, the Bao Zheng I know is also an embodiment of impartial justice. The entire residence exudes an ancient charm. And I don't know if it's the influence of the TV dramas, but as soon as I entered, I felt a great sense of solemnity and seriousness. 🤭🤭🤭 It's super reassuring.

ExploreWithEthan

Zhengzhou & Kaifeng Three-Day Tour~

I'm really too lazy, it took me a long time to write this guide. This time I spent half a day in Zhengzhou and two days in Kaifeng, just for your reference. 🛵Transportation: In Zhengzhou, you can use Alipay's 'Travel' feature for the subway. Kaifeng doesn't have a subway, but it's very convenient to travel by shared electric scooters. 🏨Accommodation: I stayed in Zhengzhou for one night, near the Guomao Center on Huayuan Road, which has shopping malls and snack streets, very convenient; In Kaifeng, it is recommended to stay near Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, be sure to check the distance to Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden on the map. The hotel we stayed at was marked as Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, but it was actually a distance away from the garden, so we had to ride a shared electric scooter there. 🥙Food: Zhengzhou: Sanheyuan Huimian (mixed noodles) is super recommended, found while strolling through the night market, the pot stewed bread is amazing! It suits my northern taste very well, the more you eat the bread soaked in soup, the more addictive it becomes; Xiaoyao Town's quality beef hot and spicy soup is cheap and good, three water-fried buns for one yuan shocked me. In Kaifeng, I went to Taojia Laomo Village, entered a random shop, and it turned out to be quite delicious, recommend the big plate chicken. Day1⃣️ The first stop: Henan Museum, picture 3 In Zhengzhou, I only went to this place, I like to visit museums wherever I go. The second stop: Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City, picture 4 I went from Zhengzhou to Kaifeng at noon, went to the hotel to drop off my luggage, and then went to Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City, 🎫ticket price 70 yuan per person, also includes tickets to Han Yuan Stele Forest and the city wall, recommend 'Three Beats at Zhu Family Village', 'Snowy Mountain Temple', 'Iron Flower Performance', you must go to the Iron Flower Performance at least one hour in advance, highly recommended! The internet-famous Wang Po matchmaking is here, but she was off the day we went, so it was Li Po doing the matchmaking. Day2⃣️ The first stop: China Han Yuan Stele Forest, pictures 56 If you bought the ticket for Wansui Mountain Martial Arts City, you don't need to buy another ticket, you can enter with your ID card, the scenery is nice. The second stop: Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden, picture I did a Hanfu makeup in the afternoon and arranged a photographer to take pictures in Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. I will write another note about the makeup. Qing Garden is still very suitable for taking ancient style photos. In the evening, I went to see 'Dream of East Tokyo', which I don't really recommend, there's not much plot, it's just a large outdoor dance drama that strings together several poems. Day3⃣️ The first stop: Da Xiangguo Temple, pictures 78 Didn't go inside, just took a photo outside, I have no religious beliefs, didn't want to spend money on the ticket. The second stop: Iron Pagoda Park, picture 10 Free entry, you can stroll around the park. The third stop: He University West Gate Night Market Nearby is Henan University, I love to explore the snack streets near schools, the prices are very affordable. I do not recommend Kaifeng Mansion, the place is very remote, there are no places to park shared electric scooters around, transportation is not very convenient, and the buildings are all newly built, I personally think it's not worth visiting. Our schedule was quite relaxed, didn't want to be too tired, if you're just visiting Kaifeng, two days including the round trip is completely enough. We only had Henan in Zhengzhou which is said to be very good, but we didn't have enough time to go, will visit next time if there's a chance.

Evelyn Beaumont

Da Xiangguo Temple

Da Xiangguo Temple is located in the center of Kaifeng City, Henan Province. It is a historically famous royal monastery and one of the ten great Han Buddhism temples. Originally named Jianguo Temple, it was founded in the sixth year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi dynasty (555 AD), with a history of over 1400 years. It is recorded that the site of the temple was the former residence of Xinling Jun, one of the Four Lords of the Warring States period. In 712 AD, Emperor Ruizong of the Tang dynasty renamed Jianguo Temple to Da Xiangguo Temple to commemorate his ascension from the position of chancellor to emperor. During the Northern Song dynasty, the temple was especially revered by the emperor and was expanded several times, covering an area of more than 500 acres and governing 64 Zen and Vinaya institutes, with thousands of monks, making it the center of Buddhism in the country. In 2002, it was rated as a national AAAA-level scenic spot. The 'Fan Music' of Da Xiangguo Temple, as a national-level intangible cultural heritage project in China, is acclaimed by industry insiders as 'the world's first royal Buddhist music'. Currently, the temple preserves ancient relics such as the Mountain Gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Octagonal Hall, the Sutra Collection Tower, the Bell and Drum Tower, and the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Buddha. The entire temple complex is laid out with precision and is majestic and spectacular.

GamingGurusGuild

Henan·Kaifeng··Travel Guide

🌟 Get ready for a time-traveling journey to Kaifeng, a city where ancient charm intertwines with modern vitality. Here is a carefully planned two-day itinerary for you in Kaifeng: 🚆 Transportation Guide: - Departing from Kaifeng North Station, you can choose to take a taxi to quickly reach the downtown area, which takes about half an hour. - The city's attractions are densely packed, so it's recommended to use shared bicycles, electric scooters, or taxis for convenience and speed. 🗓 Itinerary Planning: - Day 1: Kaifeng North Station → Da Song Martial Arts City → Bookstore Street → Drum Tower Night Market. - Day 2: Kaifeng Mansion → Da Xiangguo Temple → Han Yuan Stele Forest → Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden. 🏰 Attraction Highlights: 1. Da Song Martial Arts City: A paradise for martial arts enthusiasts, with exciting performances throughout the day and the iron flower performance at night is a must-see.🎭 - Ticket price: 60 yuan, including Han Yuan Stele Forest + City Wall Scenic Area - Time: 8:30-21:00 - Recommended plays: 'The Three Battles of Zhu Family Village', 'Legend of Shenzhou', etc. 2. Bookstore Street & Drum Tower Night Market: Two places adjacent to each other, with a strong local atmosphere at night and a rich variety of street food.🌙 - Free admission - Food recommendations: Zhu's Baked Buns, Century-Old Peanut Cake, Zhang's Twisted Dough Strips 3. Kaifeng Mansion: The site of the official residence from the Northern Song Dynasty, where you can experience ancient judicial culture.⚖️ - Ticket price: 65 yuan - Time: 7:30-17:30 - Special activities: Court opening ceremony, Judge Bao's case trials, etc. 4. Da Xiangguo Temple: A historic Buddhist holy site, also an important setting in 'Water Margin'.🕊️ - Ticket price: 40 yuan - Time: 8:00-18:30 5. Han Yuan Stele Forest: A must-visit for calligraphy enthusiasts, a perfect combination of garden and calligraphy.🖋️ - Combined ticket with Da Song Martial Arts City - Time: 8:00-18:00 6. Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden: Recreates the scenery of 'Along the River During the Qingming Festival', with especially wonderful performances at night.🌃 - Ticket price: 120 yuan, the performance 'Dream of East Capital' has a different price - Time: 8:30-22:00 🏨 Accommodation Choices: - Drum Tower District: Close to several attractions, convenient for sightseeing. - Qingming Riverside Landscape Garden Area: Close to Da Song Martial Arts City and Han Yuan Stele Forest, suitable for visitors who prefer tranquility. 🍳 Culinary Experience: - Xing's Potstickers: Located on the first floor, it is a traditional delicacy of Kaifeng, worth trying. Wishing you a journey in Kaifeng that not only lets you experience the charm of history but also enjoy the convenience of modernity, leaving you with unforgettable memories!🎈🚲

TechWhizKid

The Legend of the Millennium Ancient Temple: Da Xiangguo Temple

Da Xiangguo Temple features a traditional Chinese axial symmetrical layout, preserving a strong architectural style from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It consists of the mountain gate, bell and drum towers, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, octagonal glazed hall, scripture storage tower, and the master's hall. ☀ The bell and drum towers of Da Xiangguo Temple, with the bell tower to the east and the drum tower to the west, symbolize the peace and security of the nation with the morning bell and evening drum. The bronze bell hanging in the bell tower is a relic from the 33rd year of Emperor Qianlong's reign in the Qing Dynasty (1768), inscribed with the sixteen-character motto: 'The Dharma wheel turns eternally, the imperial diagrams are forever stable, the imperial way flourishes, the Buddha's light grows brighter.' The bell's sound is loud and beautiful, especially when struck on frosty autumn and winter days, its clear and far-reaching tone echoes throughout the city, earning it the reputation of 'Da Xiangguo's Frost Bell,' and it is one of the eight scenic spots of Bianjing. 🌈 Inside the Mahavira Hall, there is a gigantic bronze statue of Sakyamuni Buddha, weighing 400 kilograms and standing 4.3 meters tall. The hall is majestic and known as 'the number one hall in the Central Plains.' 🔥 The octagonal glazed hall houses a 'Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Buddha,' one of the thirty-two manifestations of the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, and is the treasure of Da Xiangguo Temple. ☄ The scripture storage tower enshrines an exquisitely carved Buddha niche, with a magnificent and compassionate white jade statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. The white jade, originating from Myanmar, is translucent and lustrous, with a vivid design sculpted by Burmese artisans, giving it an exotic appearance. The Buddha statue was donated by a Singaporean monk. On both the east and west sides of the tower, there are wooden staircases with more than 40 steps leading up to the tower, where the Qianlong edition of the Tripitaka is stored. 📌TIPS: 📍 Location: Search for Da Xiangguo Temple in your navigation app. 💰 Ticket price: 40 RMB per person, 37 RMB per person when booked through Ctrip, with the discount lasting until February 27, 2024. 🅿️ Parking: There is a parking lot opposite the scenic area, 10 RMB per time. ⏰️ Visiting duration: 1-2 hours 🔥 You can adjust your itinerary as needed based on actual conditions.

The Foodie s Journey

Daxiangguo Temple | The Octagonal Glazed Hall

✨The Octagonal Glazed Hall, also known as the Arhat Hall, is situated on a bluestone base, with eight-step stone paths leading to the ground on all four sides. ✨This hall has a unique structure, consisting of inner and outer parts. The interior features an octagonal courtyard, at the center of which is a high pavilion with an octagonal wooden structure, standing on an 0.8-meter-high octagonal base. The pavilion has a double-eaved octagonal spire roof, topped with a Tibetan-style stupa. ✨At the top of the octagonal pavilion is a complex caisson ceiling, beneath which is a 0.85-meter-high Sumeru base. Atop the base is a lotus throne, which enshrines a four-faced, thousand-armed and thousand-eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva statue. The statue is 5.25 meters tall, weighs about 2000 kilograms, and was carved during the Qianlong period. It is a four-sided standing sculpture, with six large hands on each side. The top two hands hold a transformed Buddha, with fan-shaped arms and palms extending out between the ribs of the Buddha image. The south and north sides each extend out four layers, while the east and west sides extend out three layers, with each layer having 28 or 30 hands, each palm painted with an eye, totaling 1048 hands and 1048 eyes, commonly known as the 'Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Buddha,' one of the thirty-two manifestations of Guanyin Bodhisattva. ✨Such a form of Buddha statue is revered by the Esoteric Buddhism, which regards it as an incarnation of Guanyin Bodhisattva, hence also known as 'Thousand-Handed Guanyin.' Not only is the material of the statue precious, but the carving is also exquisite, a true work of art that is both miraculous and divine, making it the treasure of Daxiangguo Temple. The exterior of the Octagonal Hall is a sealed corridor, outside of which is an open cloister.

elowen_nightingale_96

Kaifeng's Great Xiangguo Temple (Part I)

Kaifeng's Great Xiangguo Temple was founded in the sixth year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi dynasty (555 AD), located in the city center of the famous cultural and historical city of Kaifeng, which was the capital for eight dynasties. The temple has a long history and is one of the ten great temples of Chinese Han Buddhism. The layout of the entire temple complex is rigorous and majestic, and it holds an important position and wide influence in the history of Chinese Buddhism.

Victoria Ellington

The fox has a thousand faces, but it shows people with a jade face | Photography guide for Daxiangguo Temple

Coming to Kaifeng Daxiangguo Temple again at the end of summer, immersed in the courtyard full of ancient style, there is an instant feeling of 'because of the bamboo courtyard meets the monk's talk, and get half a day of leisure in the floating life'. Nowadays, the old trees in the temple are full of branches and leaves, and the flowers are also blooming, which is very beautiful. There are not many tourists, so it's very free to take photos~ When the temple is used as a background, the most stylish is the contrast formed by the old red buildings and green plants, which wins in the original picture tone. This time I chose a light blue cheongsam, casually took a fan and an umbrella, and it felt like it. If you come to Kaifeng for a tour, Daxiangguo Temple is indeed a good check-in point~

ASHTON TERRY

Guide to the Great Xiangguo Temple in Kaifeng

I've been to many places in Henan, but this is my first time in Kaifeng. The first stop upon arriving in Kaifeng is the renowned Great Xiangguo Temple. Being there in person is incomparable to just looking at pictures, reading texts, or watching videos. It allows for a better appreciation of the profound historical significance that Kaifeng once held in various aspects, especially the spread of Buddhism in Kaifeng and its influence on thought, art, and culture! The Great Xiangguo Temple, originally named Jianguo Temple, is located on the west section of Freedom Road in Kaifeng City, Henan Province, and is one of China's famous Buddhist temples. It was first built in the sixth year of the Tianbao era of the Northern Qi dynasty (555 AD). In the first year of the Yanhe era (712 AD) of the Tang dynasty, Emperor Ruizong renamed it the Great Xiangguo Temple to commemorate his ascension to the throne from the position of Prince Xiang. During the Northern Song dynasty, the temple was highly esteemed by the royal family, expanded several times, and became the largest temple in the capital and the center for Buddhist activities nationwide. It was later damaged due to wars and floods. In the tenth year of the Kangxi era of the Qing dynasty (1671 AD), it was restored. The existing structures of the Great Xiangguo Temple include the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Octagonal Glazed Hall, the Sutra Repository, and the Thousand-Handed Thousand-Eyed Buddha, among other ancient relics. In 1963, it was designated as one of the first batch of cultural relics protection units in Henan Province. In August 1992, Buddhist activities were resumed, and buildings such as the bell and drum towers were reconstructed. The layout of the entire temple complex is rigorous and the architecture is majestic and spectacular.

ExploreTheWorld

Touring Kaifeng: Da Xiangguo Temple, Kaifeng Mansion, and Bao Gong Ancestral Temple

Da Xiangguo Temple 🪔Da Xiangguo Temple is one of the iconic buildings in Kaifeng. During the Song Dynasty, it was the largest temple in the capital and the center of Buddhist activities nationwide. In addition to the Bell and Drum Towers, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, and the Mahavira Hall, the most worthwhile sight is the octagonal glazed hall (also known as the Arhat Hall) and the statue of the Thousand-Handed and Thousand-Eyed Guanyin Bodhisattva within it, which is the treasure of Da Xiangguo Temple. Due to the sacredness of the Buddha statue, photography was not permitted, but both the materials and the craftsmanship are nothing short of miraculous. 🎫There is a joint ticket for Da Xiangguo Temple and Kaifeng Mansion available on Ctrip, but it's not much cheaper than buying them separately. Kaifeng Mansion From Da Xiangguo Temple to Kaifeng Mansion, you will pass Zhou Bridge and the Bian River ruins. If you have purchased a pass for ten scenic spots, you can take a detour to visit them. I have other articles that talk about this separately. ☀️Kaifeng has a 'Bao Qingtian', and Kaifeng Mansion was where Judge Bao worked. In fact, before becoming emperors, three of the Northern Song Dynasty emperors served here💼, and other notable figures such as Kou Zhun, Ouyang Xiu, Fan Zhongyan, Su Shi, and Sima Guang also worked here, making it a place of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. 🗺️Our route started from the front (south) to the back (north), following the traditional central axis of the government office, then from the east side from back (north) to front (south) through the Imperial Examination Hall, Qingxin Tower, Qianlong Palace, and the garden, and then crossing to the west side from front (south) to back (north) through the prison, the six departments, the drill ground, and Tianqing Temple. The second phase is still under construction in the west. The whole scenic area is quite large. Additionally, it is written on the walls of the male death row in the prison that Yang Zhi, who killed Niu Er with a knife, was once imprisoned here. 🎫As mentioned above, there is a joint ticket available on Ctrip. Bao Gong Ancestral Temple Bao Gong Ancestral Temple is just across Bao Gong Lake from Kaifeng Mansion, but you have to walk around half the lake to get there. The ancestral temple is not very big, and if you're short on time, it's not a must-visit.💦To the east of Bao Gong Ancestral Temple is a well called Lianquan, which legend says quenches the thirst of the common people; it's sweet and fragrant for honest officials; but for corrupt officials, it causes a prickling in the throat and splitting headaches, and they must drink a bowl of dog urine to alleviate the pain.

JackMaguire78

Daxiangguo Temple | Mahavira Hall

✨After the Heavenly King Hall, the majestic building with double eaves and resting mountains is the main hall of Daxiangguo Temple, the Mahavira Hall. This hall was built in the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty, with a width of 7 rooms, a depth of 5 rooms, a height of 17.43 meters, and a building area of 531.77 square meters. It has double eaves and resting mountains, and yellow and green glazed tiles. 🌟Inside the hall is a giant bronze statue of Sakyamuni, weighing 400 kilograms and 4.3 meters high. This hall is magnificent and can be regarded as a treasure in ancient architecture, known as the "First Hall of Central Plains". ✨Around the main hall and on the pillars of the white stone railings of the terrace, there are 58 carved lions, with exquisite craftsmanship and different shapes. Inside this Mahavira Hall, there are three Buddhas of Sakyamuni, Amitabha, and Medicine Buddha, all of which are raised by one foot and three feet. ✨The eighteen Arhats are enshrined on the bases of the east and west walls. Behind the Three Buddhas is a large sculpture of Guanyin on the sea island, which is based on the story of Sudhana's 53 visits in the Avatamsaka Sutra, vividly showing the scene of Guanyin in the South China Sea ferrying all beings.

ygritte_8194

Kaifeng Zisheng Pavilion

Kaifeng Zisheng Pavilion. Originally built in the fourth year of Tang Tianbao (745), it was rebuilt in the Five Dynasties. The pavilion has three floors, is three hundred feet high, has five eaves dripping water, and is magnificent. Zisheng Pavilion was once a landmark building of the Daxiangguo Temple during the Tang and Song Dynasties, and it was destroyed several times. In May 2006, the foundation laying ceremony for the reconstruction of Zisheng Pavilion in Kaifeng was grandly held in Daxiangguo Temple. The newly built Zisheng Pavilion now stands tall, and tourists can climb the pavilion to overlook. The interior of the pavilion is beautifully decorated, and it is a good place to practice Zen and worship Buddha.

MAVERICK ZIMMERMAN

Kaifeng Tourism | Bianjing

Drum Tower On the first night of arrival, I went to the Drum Tower first, where there is a night market at night, with a lot of people. The food is basically the same as the night markets everywhere, I am not particularly interested in it, so I didn't eat anything. The main reason to go to the Drum Tower is to take pictures of the ancient tower at night. The lights will be turned on at about 7:40 in the evening, which is particularly atmospheric! It's like a dream back to Bianjing! Other guides recommend taking photos on the sightseeing elevator next to KFC, I personally do not particularly recommend it, I feel that the position is a bit too biased, if you want to take pictures of people, you can go, if you just want to take pictures of the scenery, you can stand below. Other places to visit are the nearby bookstore street, where there are some Kaifeng snacks and cultural and creative shops. Kaifeng Mansion Speaking of Kaifeng, we have to mention Bao Gong Temple and Kaifeng Mansion. I went to both attractions, each has its own good, I can't say which one I recommend. Both attractions are heavily marked by later constructions. Bao Gong Temple focuses on Bao Gong himself, and the narration of Bao Gong's deeds is very detailed; Kaifeng Mansion is more about the history of Kaifeng Mansion, and Bao Gong is just a part of it. If you have time, you can go and see both. I am not particularly interested in history, but I was still shocked in Bao Gong Temple, and I couldn't help but look at the 'Bao's Family Instructions' for a long time, admiring Bao Gong's integrity and honesty. As for Kaifeng Mansion, it's really photogenic! It's been a long time since I've encountered a city tower and pagoda that I can climb up to, this is really good in Kaifeng, basically every city tower and pagoda I encountered can be climbed for a view. Daxiangguo Temple One of the most recommended attractions, a very beautiful and solemn national temple, most of the buildings in the temple are ancient buildings, it is said to be the mansion of 'Four Sons of the Warring States' Xinlingjun. Because I was worried about taking pictures and not being good, and clashing with other people who are devoutly worshipping Buddha, I didn't take many pictures inside. But the temple is really beautiful, if you observe carefully, you will find that there are details everywhere, even the pavilions in the temple are very particular. If you are not in a hurry, you can light a free incense stick for good luck. In addition, the cultural and creative work in the temple is also very good, I bought two canvas bags and small sachets, recommended! Tianbo Yang Mansion On the day before leaving, I had some time, so I went to Tianbo Yang Mansion for a tour. It turned out to be worth the ticket price. If you are interested in the Yang family generals, I highly recommend it, and for those like me who don't know much about the three generations of the Yang family generals, you can also take this opportunity to study seriously. Because it was once the Yang Mansion, there are fish ponds and gardens inside, it's nice to rest and cool off when you're tired, and you can also feed the fish. Tianbo Tower is also very spectacular, you can also climb the tower, and you can see some of the history of Kaifeng on the way up. 🏠 I recommend a hidden treasure guesthouse in Bianjing City, Ying Guesthouse is located in Huangsong Daguan Court on Jin'an Road, an old factory building, steel bars, red bricks, and logs, where Bianjing meets Northern Europe in the Northern Song Dynasty. Perhaps because Bianjing has witnessed too many historical changes, it has an extraordinary demeanor, and it can keep people without speaking or laughing. In Liang Jun's guesthouse, the elegant charm of the Northern Song Dynasty is reproduced, with guqin, flower arrangement, noodles, incense burning, and tea fighting. Every detail reflects the elegant charm of the Northern Song Dynasty, the room is full of texture with the simple and original wooden furniture, and the simple design that returns to the original. The rooftop garden in summer is a good place for taking pictures.

Evelyn.Reynolds.32

The Daxiangguo Temple in Kaifeng

One must visit the architecture here when visiting Kaifeng, Henan! The Daxiangguo Temple in Kaifeng was first built in the sixth year of Tianbao in the Northern Qi Dynasty, originally named Jianguo Temple, and renamed Daxiangguo Temple by Tang Ruizong. Daxiangguo Temple is one of the ten famous Buddhist temples in China, and is known as one of the 'Four Famous Temples in Central Plains' along with the White Horse Temple, Shaolin Temple, and Fengxue Temple. Daxiangguo Temple was the first royal temple in Chinese history, and became a gathering place for Buddhist cultural exchanges from various countries during the Tang and Song Dynasties. After generations of construction, damage, and reconstruction, it has formed the symmetrical layout of traditional Chinese architecture that we see today. Its main buildings include the main gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Eight Treasures Glass Hall, the Mountain Gate, the Bell and Drum Towers, the Great Buddha Hall, the Sutra Tower, the Arhat Hall, etc. Each building has its own characteristics, with carved beams and painted pillars, and the Arhats and Bodhisattvas enshrined are lifelike. In the Arhat Hall, there is a four-faced, thousand-handed, thousand-eyed Guanyin wooden statue, which is 6.6 meters high. It was carved from a white fruit tree by a great artist during the Qianlong period. Each face has 6 large hands, more than 200 small hands, and a wise eye in the palm of each hand, totaling more than 1,000, hence the name Thousand-Handed Thousand-Eyed Buddha. We quietly walk around here, light some incense, and see that the flowers in the temple are even more vibrant than those outside, and we feel a sense of peace in our hearts. Seeing many aunts coming here to worship Buddha and offer incense, very devout, I am also moved. Attraction: Daxiangguo Temple 4A Scenic Spot Historical Building Religious Place Location: No. 36, West Section of Ziyou Road, Gulou District, Kaifeng City Time: Summer opening hours: 08:00-18:00 Winter opening hours: 08:00-17:30 Tickets: Adult ticket 40/person, half price for students with student ID

LUKE ARNOLD

Snow Scene in Kaifeng, Henan: Pure White Fairy Tale, Winter Wonder

👍Most Recommended: Kaifeng, Henan, this ancient city blooms an incomparable beautiful snow scene in winter. The fluttering snowflakes decorate the ancient city like a fairy tale world, every corner exudes a strong winter atmosphere. Let's enjoy this dreamlike snow scene together, as if we are in a snow kingdom! ❤Reason for Recommendation: The winter in Kaifeng always brings unexpected surprises. When the snow is flying, the whole city is covered in silver. On snowy days, parks, streets, and buildings are all covered with white snow, as if entering a pure white world. Stepping on the vast snow, making a rustling sound, makes people feel relaxed and happy. ❤Reason for Recommendation: The night in Kaifeng has a different flavor. Under the reflection of the snow, the brightly lit streets and buildings emit warm and attractive light. Walking on the snowy streets of Kaifeng at night, feeling the quiet and romantic atmosphere, as if traveling through time and space into the ancient Kaifeng story. ❤Reason for Recommendation: The ancient city of Kaifeng retains many historical relics, and the snow scene adds a different charm to these relics. Walking into the thousand-year-old temple - Daxiangguo Temple, the snow-covered courtyard is more simple and solemn. And the Qingming Shanghe Garden outside the city, under the reflection of the snow scene, seems to have become a fairyland like a scroll. 👍Most Recommended: Coming to Kaifeng, you can't miss the rich food. Tasting local food in the snow will definitely bring the ultimate enjoyment to your taste buds. The hot bean soup and fried buns warm your stomach and make you feel the warmth of winter from your heart. 👍Most Recommended: Winter in Kaifeng, not only has a dreamy snow scene, but also a variety of ice and snow entertainment activities. Whether it's skiing, ice skating or snowball fights, you can have a fun and exciting winter time. Whether it's young people or children, they can find their own joy here. The winter in Kaifeng always brings too many surprises and touches to people. The beautiful scenery of snowflakes, the collision of ancient cities and modernity, the combination of food and entertainment, make you fall in love with this city. Hurry up and pack your bags, come to Kaifeng to feel the romance of winter, and get ready for a different winter journey!

SereneDestinations

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