First time in Quanzhou? Here's your Citywalk guide!

Here's a one-day guide to Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou: Morning: - 8:00 - 9:00: Arrive at Kaiyuan Temple. It is recommended to take public transportation. Take bus No. 6/26/33/41/601/k602/Ancient City Tourist Line No. 2 to Kaiyuan Temple West Gate bus stop and walk about 150 meters to reach the temple. If you are driving, you can park your car in a designated parking lot nearby. At this time, there are relatively few tourists, so you can better appreciate the peaceful atmosphere of the temple. - 9:00 - 10:30: Visit the central axis building complex. Starting from the Purple Cloud Screen, visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Pavilion of Worship, the East and West Corridors, the Mahavira Hall, the Hall of Sweet Dew and Precepts, and the Scripture Library in turn. The "Hum Ha Two Generals" sculptures in the Hall of Heavenly Kings are vivid. The plaque "Great Kaiyuan Temple of Ten Thousand Longevity" hanging on the door of the hall and the couplet written by Master Hongyi "This place is called the Land of Buddha, the streets are full of saints" are worth savoring. The Mahavira Hall is also known as the "Purple Cloud Hall" and the "Hundred Pillar Hall". It is 9 bays wide and 6 bays deep. The 100 pillars in the hall are of various styles, and some of them are carved with stories of the ancient Indian god Krishna and floral patterns. The Hall of Sweet Dew and Precepts was first built in the Song Dynasty and rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty. The hall is solemn, and the bucket arch structure and flying figures on the top of the hall are exquisite. - 10:30 - 11:30: Appreciate the East and West Towers. The East Tower is the "Town-State Tower", 48.27 meters high, built in the Southern Song Dynasty. The outer wall of the tower is carved with 16 Buddha statues on each floor, a total of 80 statues. The waist of the tower is carved with 40 stone carvings. The West Tower is the "Renshou Tower", 45.06 meters high, built in the Southern Song Dynasty. Its technique and style are the same as the Town-State Tower. Different figures are carved on each floor, and 40 groups of floral and bird patterns are carved on the waist of the Xumi seat. You can appreciate the architectural beauty of the stone towers from multiple angles under the towers, or walk around the towers to feel their historical precipitation. Noon: - 11:30 - 13:00: Have lunch at a restaurant near Kaiyuan Temple. For example, Banpo Old House Restaurant. The environment here is full of historical atmosphere, and you can enjoy authentic Quanzhou cuisine while admiring the beautiful scenery of Kaiyuan Temple. The signature dishes include oyster omelet, meat dumplings, and noodles with rice flour. These are all classic Quanzhou delicacies. Afternoon: - 13:00 - 14:30: Visit the East Wing Building Complex, including the Dan Yue Temple, the Sakyamuni Yingji Hall, the Quanzhou Buddhist Museum, and the Master Hongyi Memorial Hall. Learn about the development of Quanzhou Buddhism and the relationship between Master Hongyi and Kaiyuan Temple, and appreciate the museum's collection of cultural relics and calligraphy works. - 14:30 - 16:00: Take a break in the courtyard or corridor of the temple and feel the peace and tranquility of the temple. You can sit on a bench, look at the sky, listen to the birds, or share your thoughts about the visit with your companions. If you are interested in Buddhist culture, you can also talk to the monks or volunteers in the temple to learn more about Buddhist knowledge and the story of Kaiyuan Temple. - 16:00 - 17:00: Free time. You can choose to walk around the temple again, appreciate the details you missed before, or take photos in the temple's garden or under the trees. You can also go to the exit of Kaiyuan Temple, where there are some small shops selling Buddhist souvenirs and Quanzhou handicrafts. You can choose some souvenirs as a memento of your trip. Evening: - After 17:00: End your day at Kaiyuan Temple and head to the nearby West Street to enjoy various snacks and experience Quanzhou's nightlife. There are many specialty shops, snack stalls, and restaurants on West Street, where you can taste Quanzhou specialties such as sandworm jelly and stone flower jelly. Alternatively, you can return to your hotel and rest, ending a fulfilling day.