Dragon Boat Festival at Lingyin Temple: A Zen-inspired journey of blessings

During the Dragon Boat Festival, Lingyin Temple is a rare and ideal destination for seeking blessings. Located at No. 1 Fayun Lane, Xihu District, Hangzhou, the temple was founded in the first year of the Xianhe era during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, boasting a long history as one of Hangzhou's earliest renowned temples. Within the temple, the Hall of Heavenly Kings is a place to pray for safety, the Mahavira Hall for smooth endeavors, and the Medicine Buddha Hall for health and longevity, catering to diverse wishes for blessings. The Dragon Boat Festival holiday in 2025 falls between May 31 and June 2, during which Lingyin Temple will remain open. Note that the temple is located within the Feilai Peak Scenic Area, requiring visitors to first purchase a 45 RMB ticket for the scenic area and then a 30 RMB incense voucher for Lingyin Temple. Tickets can be purchased in advance through official channels to avoid queues. Upon entering the temple, visitors can receive three complimentary incense sticks and follow the sequence of left-top-right-bottom and left-in-right-out when worshiping at the various halls. If hungry, you can visit Shifangyuan to enjoy vegetarian noodles and other vegetarian dishes. Nearby, there are other ancient temples such as Yongfu Temple and Taoguang Temple, which are also worth exploring. During the Dragon Boat Festival, Lingyin Temple may host celebrations such as hanging rice dumpling leaves, tasting rice dumplings, dragon boat races, cultural performances, and religious ceremonies. For specific details, consult the local tourism information center or the temple directly.