Went to Gude Temple 4 times and finally figured it out!

I just went to Gude Temple last week and was amazed by its unique architectural style! Sharing some personally tested and practical travel experiences to help you avoid the pitfalls and easily take great photos! 📍Address: No. 74, Gongnongbing Road, Jiang'an District (it is recommended to navigate to "Gude Temple". The surrounding alleys are a bit winding, so follow the signs) 🚇Transportation: Exit C of Toudaojie Station on Subway Line 1 and walk 1.5 km; or Exit B of Luojiazhuang Station on Line 3 and walk 1 km. You can take bus No. 30 or electric bus No. 2/3 to the "Gongnongbing Road Guobin Hotel" station. If you drive, parking nearby costs CNY 8-10/hour. Parking at the hospital may be cheaper (but pay attention to the signs). 🎫Tickets: CNY 13/person (added in April 2024, only supports on-site QR code ticket purchase, paper tickets can be kept as souvenirs) ⏰Opening hours: • Summer 8:00-16:30 (last entry at 16:30) • Winter 8:30-16:00 (last entry at 16:00) It is recommended to go after 2 pm, the light is soft, and the backlight of the Yuantong Baodian is super beautiful! 📸Photo spot recommendations: 1. Square benches: Sit down and shoot upwards, with a panoramic view of the temple in the background, avoiding the crowds. 2. Window on the second floor of the building: The window at the end of the corridor on the second floor on the right, zoom in 2x to shoot the side face or back. 3. Side of Yuantong Baodian: Shoot the nine pagodas from a low angle, using a telephoto lens to blur the background. 4. Pomelo tree in front of the Hall of Heavenly Kings: White walls and black tiles with green trees, full of artistic sense. 5. Corridor light and shadow: Frame the gaps between the pillars of the corridor, the mottled light and shadow are very photogenic. ⚠️Precautions: 1. Don't dress too revealingly and respect religious etiquette. 2. Taking pictures is prohibited in the Yuantong Baodian, but it is allowed outside the hall. 3. Incense needs to be purchased separately (CNY 18/CNY 38), the original ticket does not include it. 4. There are a lot of people on weekends. If you want to avoid the crowds, it is recommended to go on a working day morning. ✨Hidden ways to play: • There are free Buddhist scriptures and bookmarks in the temple, which you can take yourself. • There are two ancient wells in the vegetable garden behind the Yuantong Baodian. It is said that making a wish is very effective. • There are vegetarian food and cultural and creative products sold in the outer alleys, and the prices are affordable. 💡Personal feelings: Gude Temple is really special! Gothic pointed arches, Burmese pagodas, and Islamic decorations are integrated without any sense of disharmony. In particular, the design of the nine pagodas means that only seven can be seen from any angle, which is in line with the Taoist concept of the "Big Dipper". Although the commercialization is a bit obvious, the beauty of the architecture itself is definitely worth a visit. It is recommended to spend 1-2 hours strolling slowly and carefully feeling this combination of Chinese and Western religious art. If you pass by Hankou, it is a good idea to check in by the way; if you come here specially, it is more cost-effective to play with the nearby Lihuangpi Road and Hankou Bund~