Xiyuan Temple

Jietang Lusi Temple is located outside the Changmen Gate in the west of Suzhou, Jiangsu Province, covering a total area of 49,670 square meters. Jietang Lusi Temple was first built during the Zhiyuan period of the Yuan Dynasty (1264–1294), and was originally named Guiyuan Temple, also known as Xiyuan Temple, and commonly known as Xiyuan. In the eighth year of the Chongzhen period of the Ming Dynasty (1635), Master Maolin was the abbot, and in order to promote the "Vinaya School," it was renamed Jietang Lusi Temple. The current Jietang Lusi Temple includes the temple and garden area, with the Four Heavenly Kings Hall, Mahavira Hall, Five Hundred Arhats Hall, Guanyin Hall, and Sutra Library as the main attractions. Jietang Lusi Temple is divided into east and west areas. The architectural layout of the east area is a typical Han-style Buddhist temple layout, with the halls arranged along a central axis in the order of worship, with a strict spatial hierarchy, symmetrical and regular, with a formalized layout to adapt to static religious activities and create a solemn and mysterious religious atmosphere. The west area is a space for sightseeing and activities to dilute the dull atmosphere of the religious space in the east area. The garden space adopts a free and flexible layout, with a focus on movement, enhancing the permeability, continuity, and flow of the space, and striving to create a different spatial atmosphere, allowing visitors to enjoy the garden space in a bright and lively environment.