[2025 Hangzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Fahua Temple (Updated Apr)

Still squeezing into Lingyin Temple with the crowds? Hangzhou has a hidden gem of a temple—Fahua Temple. It boasts beautiful scenery, few crowds, and free entry. Come visit before it becomes too popular! 🌸Temple Introduction Fahua Temple has a history of approximately 1,700 years, dating back to the Eastern Jin Dynasty. Its founding patriarch was Master Tanyi. He chanted the Lotus Sutra here for twelve years and witnessed the manifestation of the Bodhisattva Samantabhadra, which inspired him to build the temple. During the Southern Song Jianyan period, Emperor Gaozong renamed Fahua Temple to Longgui Temple, but the temple later fell into ruin. It was rebuilt during the Ming Longqing and Wanli periods and renamed Gufahua Temple during the Chongzhen period. Fahua Temple was destroyed in 1958 and rebuilt in 1999, with construction completed in 2003. It faces Lingyin Temple across North Peak, nestled in a mountain valley northwest of the peak. It is one of the few free temples in Hangzhou, open to anyone for prayer and sightseeing. 📍How to Get There Navigate to Lao Dongyue. You can take the subway to a nearby station and then transfer to a bus to the "Lao Dongyue" stop. From Lao Dongyue, embark on a relaxing hike. Follow the winding path for about 10 minutes to reach Fahua Temple. Along the way, you might encounter lush trees and the chirping of birds, experiencing the tranquility of the mountain forest in advance. If driving, navigate directly to "Lao Dongyue," follow the navigation prompts, find a suitable parking spot upon arrival, and then begin the ten-minute uphill hike. 🍝Vegetarian Noodle Guide 🕒 Opening Hours: 7:00 am–5:00 pm 🍜 Menu: Fahua Luohan Vegetarian Noodles, Fahua Luohan Vegetarian Vermicelli 💰 Price: 28 yuan/bowl 📱 Ordering Process: Order directly at the self-service kiosk upon entering! After ordering, you'll receive a random pickup code. Remember to keep it. Find a seat you like and wait for the staff to call your number. ❤️Hidden Route: North Peak Cable Car - Linshun Temple - Taoguang Temple - Yongfu Temple - Lingyin Temple If you're not in great shape, this route is perfect! Take the North Peak Cable Car uphill, effortlessly reaching Linshun Temple. Soak in the auspicious atmosphere at the God of Wealth Temple and pray for prosperity for yourself and your family. Then, from Linshun Temple, walk downhill to Taoguang Temple. Along the way, the mountain scenery is breathtaking. As you walk, the scenery constantly changes, as if you're in a landscape painting. Experience the tranquility and mystery of Taoguang Temple, admiring its unique architecture and serene environment. Afterward, head to Yongfu Temple, known as the "Most Blessed Place in Qiantang." The architecture blends seamlessly with nature. Strolling through it, you'll feel a rich cultural heritage and Zen ambiance. Finally, arrive at the renowned Lingyin Temple. As one of Hangzhou's most famous temples, Lingyin Temple's grandeur and solemnity are awe-inspiring. Pray devoutly here, experience the profound Buddhist culture, and savor the temple's vegetarian cuisine, adding a special touch to your journey. Taking the cable car uphill and walking downhill allows you to enjoy the beautiful scenery without getting too tired, making it ideal for those seeking a relaxing trip. Fahua Temple itself may seem a bit simple, but when you combine it with the surrounding temples, you can unlock a fantastic Hangzhou temple tour. Save this guide and embark on your own prayer journey soon!

Hangzhou in spring is super suitable for hiking🚶🏻‍♀️ Encounter a stunning mountaintop viewing platform🖼️ Overlooking the West Lake and the panoramic view of Hangzhou There are also quiet thousand-year-old temples with few people Perfect for a city walk Breathe in the spring air and energy🌱 Seize this sunny weekend🌞 Go! Go! Go~ 🚶🏻‍♀️Route: Majiawu → Majiawu Viewing Platform⛰️→ Xishan Walking Trail → Beigao Peak Temple of Wealth → Fahuasi Temple → Wangjiawu 🗺️Detailed route map see p2 ⌚This route is about 4km and takes 2-3 hours 📸Photo spots: ①Majiawu Viewing Platform Enter from the Majiawu archway and follow the mountain road upwards. The first section is stone steps, and the latter section is a newly built trail. The climb takes about 30-40 minutes. You can see Beigao Peak along the way, surrounded by greenery🌲 ‼️The moment you reach the top, you'll be stunned by the 270° panoramic view, with the West Lake/Xixi Wetland/Hangzhou skyline all in sight! The viewing platform is similar to Shanghai's Gemini Mountains, haha, but the scenery here is even more stunning ②Beigao Peak⛰️ It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the viewing platform to Beigao Peak. We met many people running up the mountain. At Beigao Peak, you can visit the Temple of Wealth and choose to descend by cable car or on foot. Our car was parked in Majiawu, so we walked down. ③Fahuasi Temple⛩️ On the way down the mountain, we encountered yellow walls and black tiles. It turned out to be a thousand-year-old temple from the Southern Song Dynasty. A must-visit for those seeking wealth🙏🏻 There are many cultural and creative shops and snack bars outside Fahuasi Temple to replenish your energy! ❗❗Tips 1️⃣There are no 🚾 from Majiawu to the viewing platform, but there are 🚻 in Majiawu Village and Beigao Peak. 2️⃣For parking, you can navigate to the Zhejiang Industrial Design Creative Park, 20 RMB with no time limit, a 5-minute walk to the Majiawu archway. 3️⃣About 1km from Dongyue Station or Gudun Road Station. 4️⃣There are places to eat in Majiawu Village and Fahuasi Temple to replenish your energy. 5️⃣You can return the same way from Majiawu to the viewing platform. The route can also be reversed, but the steps from Fahuasi Temple → Beigao Peak are steep.

💞Reasons to Recommend:

In Jin Yong's "The Legend of the Condor Heroes," the Seven Freaks of Jiangnan fought Qiu Chuji at the invitation of Jiao Mu at Dongyue Fahua Temple. In front of the temple is the pagoda of Zhao Puchu, president of Xiling Seal Art Society and president of the Buddhist Association of China. Fahua Temple is located near Old Dongyue, on the north slope of Beigao Peak, with a history of more than 1,700 years. Thanks to Lingshun Temple, the "No. 1 God of Wealth Temple in the World," Fahua Temple has many pilgrims praying for wealth and education. If you are afraid of the crowds at Lingyin Temple and Santianzhu on the south slope of Beigao Peak, you can visit Fahua Temple for a quiet experience. The founder of Fahua Temple was the eminent monk Tanyi of the Eastern Jin Dynasty. He became a monk at the age of seven and recited the "Lotus Sutra" for 12 years. Samantabhadra once transformed into a beautiful woman to seduce Tanyi. Unlike Bajie, who was not firm in his Zen mind, Master Tanyi passed the test. This story was written into the Song and Yuan dynasty storybooks, namely "The Monk Yue Ming Saves Cui Liu." Emperor Gaozong of the Song Dynasty, Zhao Gou, once stayed at Fahua Temple and renamed it "Longgui Temple." Because he visited Dongyue Village, this valley was named "Longjuwu." Later, Zhao Gou often went along the Xixi Imperial Road to Dongxiao Palace. Fahuawu is full of early plum blossoms and tea trees. Fahua tea is recorded in the "Qiantang County Annals," comparable to Longjing tea and Jingshan tea. Here is also the most beautiful Huawu among the 18 valleys of Xixi. The prototype of "Qinfang Creek" in "Dream of the Red Chamber" is Liufang Creek under the temple. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the "Four Great Families" of Hong, Gu, Huang, and Qian had their estates here, which were also the prototypes of Jia, Shi, Wang, and Xue in "Dream of the Red Chamber." Su Shi and Wang Anshi climbed Beigao Peak many times, when the Beigao Peak Pagoda was still there. There are many cultural relics in the Old Dongyue area, such as the tomb of the Italian missionary Matteo Ricci, a provincial cultural relic protection unit; the "Fangjing Taoyuan Ridge" inscribed by Mi Fu and Hong Zhong. Fahua Temple has always been a popular pilgrimage route. When Emperor Kangxi first visited Hangzhou, he went to Dongyue Temple to offer incense before going to Xixi to enjoy the plum blossoms. After crossing Taiping Bridge, he went to Gao Shiqi's Xixi Villa (Gaozhuang) to enjoy the plum blossoms and inscribed the "Bamboo Window" plaque. Emperor Qianlong also visited Dongyue to enjoy the plum blossoms and wrote poems.

Hangzhou Three-Day Guide | Complete Citywalk Itinerary ✅ Day1⃣ Hefang Street A pedestrian street filled with a sense of the years, exuding a unique charm. Ticket🎫: Free Transportation🚇: Metro Line 7, Exit D of Wushan Square Nansong Imperial Street The main street left from the Southern Song Dynasty capital Lin'an, retaining the old city wall of Hangzhou. Drum Tower One of Hangzhou's iconic buildings with a long history, witnessing the city's changes. Shiwuku Alley Experience the simple life of Hangzhou and enjoy the magnificent view of the Drum Tower. Navigate to 'Balkan Inn' to arrive. Here, the atmosphere is rich with life, where ancient architecture and modern living complement each other, captivating the heart. Day2⃣ Start your West Lake journey❗ Boat trips can take you to multiple attractions: 35💰 round trip: Su Causeway, Flower Harbor, Zhongshan Park, Qianwang Temple, Hangfan, Yue Temple 50💰 round trip: Youth Palace, Second Park, Fifth Park, First Park (An additional 20💰 is required for island visits) Three Pools Mirroring the Moon A must-visit photo spot, wait for the boat to pass by to capture the beautiful moment. Flower Harbor In full bloom season, the beauty of West Lake is right before your eyes. The early cherry blossoms, tulips, and magnolias here are like scenes from a painting. Su Causeway Besides Flower Harbor, this is also an excellent place for cherry blossom viewing. Xiling Bridge A beautiful angle for photography, making every picture poetic. Pinghu Qiuyue Small bridges, flowing water, distant mountains like a painting, as if you are in a landscape painting. Broken Bridge Remnants of Snow One of the representative attractions of West Lake, not visiting the Broken Bridge is like not visiting at all. The second floor of the Starbucks near the Broken Bridge is also a good spot for photography. Wulin Night Market Taste delicacies from all over, and feel the lively atmosphere at night. Day3⃣ Fahua Temple A millennium-old temple, even older than Lingyin Temple. Ticket🎫: 8 yuan, cash or scan to pay. Bell ringing💰: 30 yuan, a sound of the bell, a fortune in gold. Incense offering💰: 30 yuan. Business hours: 07:30-17:00. Caishen Temple Known as 'the number one Caishen temple in the world', with a long history and many followers. Taoguang Temple The temple is quiet, with few tourists, allowing one to escape the hustle and bustle of the world. The vegetarian noodles in the temple are priced at 28-38 yuan. Business hours: 07:00-18:00. Yongfu Temple Adjacent to Lingyin Temple, the Fuchun Tea House serves Longjing tea picked by monks, worth tasting. Lingyin Temple A must-visit in Hangzhou, feel the solemnity and mystery of the ancient temple. Ticket🎫: 35 yuan. Business hours: 07:00-18:00. Faxi Temple Enjoy the beauty of blooming magnolias, feel the blend of nature and faith.

❤Recommended reason: Fahua Temple🏮 is three kilometers away from Xixi Wetland. Unlike the bustling Lingyin Temple, Fahua Temple has a long history, located at the foot of Beigaofeng, which started in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and is much quieter in comparison. In such an environment, you can truly experience the feeling of 'when the mind is quiet, the spirit is clear'✨ 📍Detailed address: Xixi Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou City, Zhejiang Province 🎫Ticket price: Free 📝Note tips: 1. From the direction of Fahua Temple to Beigaofeng, the mountain road is steep but short, there are many fortune-telling stalls along the way, and you can also automatically scan the code to buy mineral water 2. The Wealth God Temple on the top of the mountain, after renovation, needs to charge an entrance fee of 8 yuan

Hangzhou Xiaozhong Temple Wenchuang Store, the favorite of Buddhism fans, and the amazing circle of friends! said that there are three treasures in Hangzhou: Zhang Xiaoquan scissors, Xihu silk umbrella and Wang Xingji fan. In fact, in addition to these centuries-old brands, there are many vintage and small Buddhist items, such as the net red defensive in the circle of friends! It is hidden by the trail outside the Fahua Temple. Just entering the store door, I was pleasantly surprised by all kinds of blessing bags in front of me. Like "What is the capacity is big", "Water retreats", "One night rich" "Immediately off the list" ... There are many hand-sewn defensive, the inside is filled with lavender, exquisite and eye-catching. Tips: At present, there are three main stores that can buy net red defensive, Faxi Temple, Fahua Temple and Xihu Store, the price ranges from 20 to 80. Even if you don't buy and buy, you can enjoy it by walking around. The scenery outside the store is ten miles of peach blossoms, which is especially refreshing.