Nanputuo Temple

» Xiamen, Fu Jian

Nanputuo Temple Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The temple attracts a large number of pilgrims at home and from abroad every year. Here, you have a chance to appreciate Buddhist scriptures, Buddha images from Burma, ivory sculptures and other works of art stored. Enshrined in these halls are the statues Buddha, though all of them seem serious and solemn in appearance, each is distinctly different from another. The many rooms flanking the main buildings include dormitories, libraries and study rooms for monks.

Names of the Temple

Nanputuo Temple was founded in the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), and was originally named Sizhou Temple and then renamed Puzhao Temple in the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). Now the Puzhao Hall in the temple still bears that name. The temple was damaged twice during wars. In 1684, Shi Lang, a general of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) rebuilt the temple and named it "Nanputuo" (meaning "south Putuo"), because it is situated to the south of Putuo Mountain.

Layout of the Temple

Covering 30,000 square meters, the main buildings of Nanputuo Temple are constructed on a central axis. After the Hall of Heavenly Kings one goes through the Treasured Hall of Great Majesty (Da Xiong Bao Dian), the Hall of Great Mercy (Da Bei Dian) and the Buddhist Scriptures Garret (Cang Jing Ge).

The buildings of Nanputuo are spread over a mountainside of complicated topography, and are different in forms to suit various functions. However, all the buildings are marked with multi-layered roofs decorated with yellow glazed tiles and carvings of animals, which are in accordance with traditional South Fujian architecture.

In addition, local granite is largely used in columns, beams, arcs, rails and pathways among other things. Together these buildings create a generally solemn and magnificent atmosphere.

Getting around

Even if you are not interested in Buddhism, you will find the place a scenic area providing you with a refreshing experience. Besides, they serve a wonderful vegetarian dinner here.

The Treasured Hall of Great Majesty

In this sequence one is climbing up along the mountainside. At the center of the temple's main body lies the Treasured Hall of Great Majesty, consecrated to the Buddhas of three lifetimes and the three western saints. This hall is also the place for the monks to do their daily morning and evening chanting. The morning chanting at 4:30 am might be too early for most people, but the evening chanting at 4:00 pm can be a good occasion for those who are interested to know more about Buddhist culture. For thousands of years, chanting has been a key practice of Buddhist followers to purify their minds.

The Hall of Great Mercy

The Hall of Great Mercy is another main building in the temple, consecrated to Guanyin (Avalokitesvara). Standing on a stone platform 30 steps high, the octagonal building has a three-layer roof supported by brackets without nails or beams. The local people call this complex bracketing system "spider weaving cobweb." This hall is particularly prosperous because many Buddhist converts from South Fujian believe in Guanyin.

The Buddhist Scriptures Garret

The Buddhist Scriptures Garret is located at the highest of the axis of main buildings. Its first floor serves as the "Worshipping Hall," and the second floor holds a large number of Buddhist scriptures.

Newly built buildings

On both sides of the axis are new buildings of recent years. To the left of the axis are the Buddhist Institute of South Fujian, Abbot's Building, Meditation Hall and the dormitory of the monks. To the right are the Buddhist Prayer Hall, Haihui Hall and Puzhao Hall.

Enjoy eating

The last two buildings are where the famous vegetarian food of Nanputuo Temple is served. Not only does the food offer a uniquely light and fresh taste, but the names of the dishes treat one to poetic associations, like "Half Moon in the River," "Silk Rain and Lonely Cloud" and "Pearl of the South Sea."

When to visit

Opening Hours: 5:40a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Attractions around » Xiamen, Fu Jian

Natural Scene

• Gulangyu Island
• Jimei School Village

Historical Site

• Nanputuo Temple
• Hulishan Fortress

Cultural Site

• Turtle Garden

Nanputuo Temple Highlights

Temple & Monastery in Great China

• Shaolin Temple
• Temple of Heaven
• Jokhang Temple
• Confucius Temple
• A-Ma Temple
• Palkhor Monastery
• Sera Temple
• Drepung Temple
• Rongbuk Temple
• Songzanlin Temple
• Id Kah Mosque
• Lingyin Temple
• Labrang Temple
• Great Buddha at Lingshan
• Golden Temple
• Yuantong Temple
• Tashilhunpo Temple
• Sakya Temple
• Temple of Universal Peace
• Putuo Zongcheng Temple
• Eight Outer Temples
• Famen Temple
• Great Mosque
• Nanputuo Temple
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Town God Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Lama Temple
• White Cloud Temple
• Tar Temple
• Santa Sophia Church
• 108 Dagobas
• Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
• White Horse Temple
• Qiongzhu Temple
• Hanging Temple
• Hanshan Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei
• Giant Buddha Temple
• Xiangguo Temple
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Chongshansi Temple
• Dule Temple
• Anyuan Temple
• White Horse Pagoda
• Trandruk Temple
• Dai Temple
• Pagoda of Songyue Temple
• Ramoche Temple
• Guanlin Temple
• Huayan Temple
• Kaiyuan Temple
• Samye Temple
• Jinci Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Ganden Temple
• Dabeiyuan Temple
• Wuhou Memorial Temple
• Shanhua Temple
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Temple of Universal Happiness
• Great Bell Temple
• Qingjing Mosque
• Hongfu Temple
• Dazhao Temple
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Baoguo Temple
• Wudangzhao Temple
• Shalu Temple
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center
• Longhua Temple
• Jile Temple
• Chengtiansi Pagoda
• Nanguan Muslim Mosque
• Qingyanggong Temple
• Ba Xian An Temple
• Tianhou Palace
• Guiyuan Temple
• Linggu Temple
• Najiahu Mosque at Yongning
• Haibao Pagoda
• Xilitu Zhao
• Dongguan Mosque
• Jiegu Temple

Nanputuo Temple FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. When is the best time to go?

  Food

1. How about the taste of local food in Xiamen & Wuyishan?

  Other Hints

1. What to note before enjoying the exciting floating along Jiuquxi River?

• When is the best time to go?

  Xiamen has a subtropical monsoon climate and the weather here is mild and rainy.

  The average temperature for the year is about 21 C, the absolutely highest temperature is 38.4 C and lowest is 2 C. As the average annual rainfall here is 1100mm, it abounds mainly from May to July.

  It is a perfect place for you to visit all year round, but as an island, the sunshine here is very strong, so please be ready to do something to avoid sunstroke and the light. For example, things like sunscreen, sun umbrella, and sunhat are musts.

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• What to note before enjoying the exciting floating along Jiuquxi River?

  Floating along Jiuquxi River is a new-born popular tour, the exciting tour by a bamboo raft to see enchanting sight of exotic peaks and relics along the bank, here are something you need to read.

  1. Before getting on the raft, obey the arrangements of guide on the dock, get on raft in order; after getting on raft, please check whether you have life jacket and read "need-to-know about rafting" to get useful information, as how to keep safety on raft, dial Emergency Hotline and so on. Please don't bring valuables on raft.
  2. During floating, make sure you wear life jacket and obey guidance of raft-rower. Don't take photos on a moving raft, especially around rapids, torrents, sharp bends or curves. Please draw the safety rope to keep your body in balance.
  3. If there is a strong wind or thunder storm during the trip, please obey guidance of raft-rower to stop raft at safety place.
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• How about the taste of local food in Xiamen & Wuyishan?

  The cuisine of Xiamen mainly focuses on seafood. Taste of other dishes is mild; and chili sauce is a little bit sweet. While, the food of Wuyishan taste mainly savoury.

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