Guoqing Temple, a Millennia-Old Temple

### Guoqing Temple **Recommended Reasons:** Located in Tiantai Mountain, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province, Guoqing Temple is the birthplace of the Tiantai school of Chinese Buddhism. With a long history and rich cultural heritage, the temple, nestled against the mountain, offers a serene environment with towering ancient trees, making it an ideal place for quiet contemplation and spiritual practice. Whether you are a Buddhist follower or a general visitor, you can experience tranquility and peace here. **Suitable for:** - Buddhist culture enthusiasts - History and ancient architecture enthusiasts - Travelers seeking inner peace - Nature lovers **Recommended Season:** Suitable for all seasons, spring and autumn are the best. The blooming flowers in spring and the colorful foliage in autumn offer particularly enchanting scenery. --- ### History of Guoqing Temple Guoqing Temple was founded in the 18th year of the Kaihuang era of the Sui Dynasty (598 AD) by Master Zhiyi, boasting a history of over 1,400 years. It is the ancestral temple of the Tiantai school of Chinese Buddhism and is renowned as one of the "Four Great Temples of Chinese Buddhism" alongside Qixia Temple in Nanjing, Lingyan Temple in Jinan, and Yuquan Temple in Jingzhou. Guoqing Temple is not only a sacred Buddhist site but also an important link for Buddhist cultural exchange between China, Japan, and Korea. The eminent Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen resided here before his eastward journey to Japan, and the founding patriarch of the Japanese Tendai school, Saicho, also came here to seek Buddhist teachings. Therefore, Guoqing Temple holds a significant position in East Asian Buddhist culture. The temple's architectural style is simple and elegant, preserving a large number of precious cultural relics and Buddhist scriptures, such as the Sui Dynasty pagoda and Tang Dynasty stone inscriptions, making it an important site for the study of ancient Chinese Buddhist culture. --- ### Incense Burning at Guoqing Temple Guoqing Temple enjoys flourishing incense burning, with believers from all over China and even the world coming to worship year-round. During Buddhist festivals, such as Buddha's Birthday and Guanyin's Birthday, the temple is especially crowded with worshippers. Several incense burners are set up inside the temple for believers to offer incense and pray for blessings. The burning of incense not only symbolizes the believers' piety but also embodies people's wishes for peace, health, and happiness. The incense-burning culture of Guoqing Temple complements its long history and profound Buddhist heritage, becoming a major feature of the temple. --- ### Travel Tips - **Opening Hours:** 8:00-16:30 - **Tickets:** Free (some special attractions may charge a fee) - **Transportation:** Take a bus or drive from Taizhou city center, the journey takes about 1 hour. - **Precautions:** Please keep quiet inside the temple, respect Buddhist etiquette, and do not take photos of Buddha statues at will. Guoqing Temple is not only a sacred Buddhist site but also a tourist destination that blends natural beauty with cultural history. Whether you are here for blessings, meditation, or simply to admire the ancient architecture and natural scenery, this place will meet your expectations.