[2025 Wuhu Attraction] Travel Guide for Guangjisi Temple (Updated Mar)

Guangji Temple is located at 215 Huazhong Road, Jinghu District, Wuhu City, Anhui Province. It is a Buddhist temple with a long history, originally built during the Tang Dynasty's Qianning period (894–898). Initially named Yongqing Temple, it was later changed to Guangji Monastery and finally designated as Guangji Temple during the Northern Song Dynasty's Dazhong Xiangfu period (1008–1016), a name it retains to this day. Guangji Temple has undergone numerous reconstructions and renovations. During the Ming Dynasty's Yongle period, it fell into disrepair due to age and was later restored during the Jingtai period. It underwent several renovations during the Qing Dynasty's Qianlong and Jiaqing periods, was destroyed by fire during the Xianfeng period, and was rebuilt during the Guangxu period. Guangji Temple has a deep connection with Prince Kim Gyo-gak of Silla. Kim Gyo-gak crossed the sea to China during the Tang Dynasty, first practicing at Guangji Temple and later traveling to Mount Jiuhua to establish a Buddhist center. Therefore, in the past, anyone making a pilgrimage to Mount Jiuhua would first visit Guangji Temple to receive the "Earth Store Bodhisattva Golden Seal" before proceeding to Mount Jiuhua. Hence, it is also known as "Little Jiuhua" or "Jiuhua Palace." Built against a hillside, Guangji Temple's halls rise tier upon tier, creating a magnificent spectacle. The main buildings include the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Medicine Master Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Ksitigarbha Hall, connected by a total of 88 steps, evoking the feeling of being on Mount Jiuhua. The Ksitigarbha Hall is modeled after the Mount Jiuhua's Flesh Body Hall, housing a 12-meter-tall statue of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. In front of the hall stands an ancient ginkgo tree planted during the Song Dynasty. Additionally, the Guangji Temple Pagoda (Ochre Pagoda) is a Song Dynasty relic, standing 26.8 meters tall, with each level's exterior wall inlaid with brick carvings of Buddha statues. On the west side of the Ksitigarbha Hall is a two-story building called "Di Cui Xuan" (Dripping Green Pavilion), said to be the place where the Song Dynasty calligrapher Huang Tingjian lived in seclusion and studied. The wall downstairs is embedded with numerous stone inscriptions.

||| One-day tour in Wuhu. 1⃣️Bainian Gengji. After arriving at Wuhu Station at nine o'clock, I bought a light rail ticket (Line 2) on Alipay and went to Bainian Gengji to eat a soup dumpling (the taste was okay, but it got a bit greasy after finishing a basket). 2⃣️Zheshan Park. Went for a stroll after eating (it was already starting to get hot by then) p3-4 3⃣️Guangji Temple. The ticket is 5⃣️ yuan, it's quite large inside, and there were very few tourists (it's right after passing through Zheshan Park) p5-6 4⃣️Catholic Church. Went there at two in the afternoon after lunch, but the church door was closed. The opening hours might be in the morning, probably not all day. Just took some photos outside p7-8 5⃣️Consulate Old Site. p11-12 This was a bit of a letdown. (It's not the old consulate residence, but you need to search for Wuhu Art Theater, walk one or two hundred meters to the right slope. It's a bit hidden, and there are a lot of mosquitoes, not recommended to go) Had an afternoon tea at Mitao, the shop is quite photogenic p9-10 Dinner was settled at Shenyuanji Dessert Shop, we weren't very hungry, ordered a tomato beef brisket rice and two drinks (average, moderate price, mainly attracted by the little goldfish, quite a few people went there to take photos) 6⃣️Binjiang Park and Old Customs House Clock Tower. It's recommended to stroll there after dinner, around half-past six, enjoy the breeze and wait for the sunset. The attractions in Wuhu are relatively concentrated, and the bus ride is basically two or three stops. The day was mostly walking and stopping, going to the mall to enjoy the air conditioning before setting off again. Didn't go to the ancient city this time, it would be too tiring to finish in one day...

The Guangji Temple Pagoda is located behind the Ksitigarbha Hall of Guangji Temple, originally built during the Northern Song Dynasty. It was designated as a provincial-level key cultural relic protection unit in 1981, also known as the Ochre Pagoda, constructed in the second year of the Zhiping era of the Song Dynasty (1065). It underwent restoration from 1996 to 1997. In October 2019, it was confirmed by the State Council as the eighth batch of national key cultural relic protection units. The Guangji Temple Pagoda is a hexagonal, five-story brick and stone structure in the style of a pavilion tower, with each side measuring 3.5 meters in length and the pagoda standing 20.8 meters tall, located behind the central axis of the northern Guangji Temple. The pagoda's body, eaves, rafters, dougong (bracket sets), windows, and other decorations are all made of brick imitating wooden styles, with the body of the pagoda tapering upwards, each layer distinctly narrower than the one below. The interior structure features crisscrossing, heart-piercing style steps and a corridor-style pagoda chamber. One of the 'Eight Scenic Spots of Wuhu,' 'Ochre Pagoda in Clear Mist,' refers to this location.

The treasure city Wuhu, a special forces day trip, a place you'll fall in love with once you visit! Thanks to a homophonic meme 'Wuhu, take off!', Wuhu has become a rising internet-famous city. Wuhu is a prefecture-level city in Anhui Province, also known as Jiangcheng. It is a riverside and mountainous garden city, historically known as 'the giant port of the Yangtze River, the backbone of Wan'. From Hangzhou, you can take a high-speed train and arrive in just 1.5 hours, making it possible to embark on a spontaneous trip over a weekend. First stop: Wuhu Jiuzi Ancient Town 'Guan Guan Jujiu, on the river isle', Jiuzi Ancient Town is located at the Biantan River connecting to Wanchun Polder, with white walls, black tiles, small bridges, and flowing water, fully displaying the charm of the Jiangnan region. Second stop: Zhe Mountain Park For the people of Wuhu, their memories start with Zhe Mountain Park. The ancients praised Zhe Mountain as the 'majestic mountain' of Jiangcheng, always enjoying the reputation of 'Jade Peak' and 'Hundred-foot Floating Pagoda', and it is regarded as the symbol of Wuhu. Third stop: Jinghu Park Jinghu Park leans north against Zhe Mountain, and when there is no wind, the water is as flat as a mirror. Zhe Mountain and the lake reflect each other, with pavilion-shaped tower shadows, and the scenery is very beautiful and picturesque. Fourth stop: Guangji Temple Guangji Temple is known as the first of the four famous temples in Anhui and a Buddhist pilgrimage site, always bustling with worshippers. The temple is not big, and it's not crowded, very quiet. With yellow walls and gray tiles, it exudes a serene Zen atmosphere. Fifth stop: Binjiang Park Binjiang Park is the best place to chase sunsets. Here, wait for a golden orange sea to fall into the infinite tenderness of Jiangnan, watching the sunset slowly redden the horizon. Wuhu delicacies: First dish: Spicy Hot Pot When preparing travel tips, searching for Wuhu delicacies, the keyword 'Spicy Hot Pot' appears most frequently, and some locals enthusiastically recommend it. Spicy Hot Pot shops are everywhere in the streets and alleys of Wuhu, and it's a delicacy not to be missed. Just ask any local, and picking any shop won't be a mistake. Second dish: Wuhu Roast Duck The enthusiasm of Wuhu people for duck meat is no less than that of Nanjing, and there are many delicious red-skinned duck shops in Wuhu, each with its unique taste and loyal customers. Third dish: Red Bean and Adzuki Bean Wine If you go to Wuhu, you must try a cup of Red Bean Wine. Red Bean Wine is mainly brewed with red beans, rice wine, glutinous rice flour, and rock sugar, cleverly blending the sweetness of red beans with the aroma of the wine. Fourth dish: Steamed Rice with Pork Scraps Glutinous rice is mixed with tofu skin, then seasoned with sauce to create an irresistible delicacy when paired with steamed meat and rice. Fifth dish: Wine Fermented Rice Cake Wine Fermented Rice Cake is a famous traditional snack with a sweet and mellow taste that is deeply loved by people. Sixth dish: Kawangka Milk Tea In the milk tea scene of Hefei, Kawangka definitely has a place. Order a cup of Kawangka milk tea and stroll through the streets of Wuhu. Set off now! Come to this deliciously addictive small city of Wuhu, and I believe you will fall in love with it!

Guangji Temple was established in the Jin Dynasty, originally named Xiliu Village Temple. During the Yuan Dynasty, it was renamed Baoen Hongji Temple, with the abbot being the Zen master Wansong Xingxiu. The Wansong Old Man's Pagoda still exists next to the temple. The Zen master wrote the famous 'Congrong Record' and other more than 20 masterpieces in the Congrong An in the temple, and passed away in the world. At the end of the Yuan Dynasty, Guangji Temple was destroyed by war. During the Jingtai period of the Ming Dynasty (1450-1456), someone dug up the ground and found pottery Buddha statues, porcelain for offerings, stone turtles and stone column tops, and then realized that this was the site of an ancient temple. In the early years of Tianshun (1457-1464), the monk Pu Hui from Shanxi and his disciples Yuan Hong and others came here on a pilgrimage, and vowed to revive the ancient temple. The project was difficult and success was not easy. At that time, Liao Ping, who was in charge of the emperor's crown and clothes, had the wish to build a temple and worship Buddha. He was very happy when he learned about it. With his strong support, a solemn Buddhist temple emerged from the ground in just two years. Liao Ping reported this to the Emperor Xianzong and asked for a name for the temple. Emperor Xianzong of the Ming Dynasty named it 'Hongci Guangji Temple' in the second year of Chenghua (1466). During the Qing Dynasty, Guangji Temple became more and more famous. Emperors Shunzhi, Kangxi, and Qianlong visited Guangji Temple, leaving many poems and anecdotes. The last emperor Puyi also visited Guangji Temple. During the Republic of China, politicians, military officers, tycoons, celebrities, literati and talented people flocked here. Mr. Sun Yat-sen also gave a speech here. In 1931, Guangji Temple accidentally caught fire, and the main hall was almost completely destroyed. In 1935, the abbot Xianming monk rebuilt it according to the layout of the Ming Dynasty with the support of people like Wu Peifu.