Hidden Experiences in Chongqing! Seek Zen at Luohan Temple and Enjoy the Scenery at Hong'en Temple, Visiting Both Ancient and Modern Highlights in One Day

In Chongqing, a magical mountain city full of cyberpunk vibes, two temples with distinct styles await your exploration—one is a millennium-old ancient temple hidden in the bustling city center, and the other is a city lookout nestled in the mountains. This carefully prepared guide 🏮 Dual Temple Tour: Luohan Temple and Hong'en Temple ✨ Trip Highlights · Ancient and Modern Collision: Visit a thousand-year-old Song Dynasty temple surrounded by skyscrapers and experience the magic of time crossing · Panoramic Views: Climb to the highest observation deck in Chongqing’s main city to take in the magnificent scenery of half the mountain city · Cultural Immersion: From Buddhist Zen to traditional architecture, experience a diverse cultural atmosphere and aesthetic charm 🗓 Basic Information Luohan Temple Hong'en Temple Address: No. 7 Luohan Temple Street, Yuzhong District, Chongqing Hong'en Road, Jiangbei District, Chongqing Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 6:30-21:30 Ticket Price: 20 RMB (includes three incense sticks and one lotus candle) Free Recommended Visit Duration: 1-2 hours 1-2 hours 🗺 Luohan Temple: A Pure Land Amidst the Worldly Dust Hidden in the bustling Yuzhong District, Luohan Temple was founded during the Northern Song Dynasty and is truly an "urban Zen realm." Must-try experiences: · Hall of Five Hundred Luohans: Explore 524 uniquely shaped Luohan statues and try the local popular custom of "counting Luohans" to find your guardian Luohan · Ancient Buddha Rock: Admire over 400 Song Dynasty stone carvings and feel the vitality of millennium-old art · Architectural Aesthetics: Savor the strong visual contrast between the temple’s architecture and surrounding skyscrapers—an excellent spot for photos blending ancient and modern · Spiritual Experience: Recite silently in front of the Heart Sutra wall and stroll through the temple gardens to feel the Zen tranquility amid the bustle Transportation: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 6 to Xiaoshizi Station and exit from Exit 6 to reach the temple. 🏞 Hong'en Temple: The Mountain Forest Lookout Hong'en Temple Forest Park, located on the north bank of the Jialing River, is the second largest park in Chongqing’s main city. Although it has "temple" in its name, the most striking feature is the majestic Hong'en Pavilion. Must-try experiences: · Panoramic Views: Climb the Hong'en Pavilion observation deck, the highest in Chongqing’s main city, to overlook Jiangbei, Yubei, Shapingba, Yuzhong District, and the Northern New Area · Seasonal Flower Viewing: Enjoy blooming red plum, magnolia, and crabapple in spring; ginkgo and colorful trees in autumn; the park also hosts the largest osmanthus forest in China · Night Lighting: At night, Hong'en Pavilion is brilliantly lit; lighting hours are 19:00-20:00 in summer and 18:30-19:30 in winter, perfect for stunning photos · Cultural Leisure: Visit the nearby Jiangbei District Library Hong'en Temple Branch and enjoy reading in the forest setting Transportation: Take Metro Line 5 to Dashiba Station and walk, or take bus 631 and other routes directly. 💡 Practical Tips 1. Best Visiting Time: Luohan Temple is best visited early morning or late afternoon for fewer crowds and better light; Hong'en Temple offers different scenic views each season, with especially spectacular night scenes 2. Dress Code: Wear modest and simple clothing when visiting Luohan Temple; wear comfortable shoes for the considerable walking at Hong'en Temple 3. Nearby Attractions: Luohan Temple is close to Jiefangbei and Hongya Cave, which can be visited on the same day; Hong'en Temple can be combined with nearby spots like Taoranju Daguan Garden and New National Trend Square 4. Special Reminders: Photography is prohibited in some halls of Luohan Temple—please respect the rules; Hong'en Temple Park is large, so choose your visiting areas based on your stamina and time Whether it’s the ancient Zen simplicity of Luohan Temple or the expansive grandeur of Hong'en Temple, these two temples with distinct styles together form Chongqing’s diverse urban landscape. Spend a day experiencing a journey from the city’s depths to the mountain peaks, and you’ll surely create unforgettable memories of this mountain city.