[2025 Xiamen Attraction] Travel Guide for Shishi Taoist Temple (Updated Mar)

[Shishi Zen Temple: Pear Blossom Zen Rhyme] A thousand-year-old temple hides the charm of spring, and pear blossoms reflect the sound of Buddhist chants. In March, at Shishi Zen Temple, the wind chimes on the eaves dance with the fragrance of flowers, and the plain white pear petals fall between the yellow walls and black tiles, like a poetic scene unfolding in an ink painting. The ancient temple appears more ethereal because of the pear blossoms, and the flowers become more serene because of the zen atmosphere. Stand under the trees, watch the clouds drift past the branches, and listen to the bell ringing over the sea of flowers. Each plain petal seems to tell the zen principle of "the non-duality of form and emptiness," and each wisp of fragrance interprets the philosophy of "quiet beauty as before." There is no need to chase after the flowering season; every spot where fallen petals gather is a place for spiritual practice. 🌼Flowering Season Reminder: It will be ending in mid-March, so don't miss the beautiful spring scenery. 📍Location: Under Lingjiu Mountain, Haicang, Xiamen 📸Photo Guide: Yellow walls and flower shadows, eaves covered with "snow," and a distant view of the bell tower. ✨Zen Surprise: You can find ancient steles and General Qi Jiguang's horse trough in the temple and listen to the legends of the anti-Japanese resistance. May this pear blossom snow brush away the dust from your brows and allow time, amidst the falling petals, to precipitate the clarity within your heart.

As dawn breaks, dew still clings to the stone paths of Shishi Chan Temple. A small orange cat strolls from under the eaves, its tail swaying gently as if measuring the tranquility of this land. Time moves slowly in this ancient temple, and even the steps of living beings carry a sense of ease. During the pear blossom season, the branches are bustling with life. A small grayish-brown squirrel darts from the shadows, its fluffy tail like a brushstroke across the sky. It leaps gracefully onto a pear tree, claws gripping a slender branch, and lowers its head to nibble on the petals. Pear blossoms flutter down, landing on the moss-covered stone steps and on the clothes of visitors looking up to take photos. The temple master says these little creatures are "regulars" at the temple, always frolicking in the pear garden during spring, as if cultivating alongside the fragrance of flowers. Around a corner, several pigeons peck at grains of rice scattered by worshippers in the courtyard, their flapping wings creating a flurry of light and shadow. In the afternoon, the little cat curls up for a nap beside the prayer cushion in front of the Medicine Buddha Hall. Amidst the lingering sound of chanting, its purring blends harmoniously with the rhythmic beat of the wooden fish. The animals in the temple neither avoid nor disturb people, simply sharing the space with the ancient temple, softening the hearts of visitors. Tips: There is a temporary parking lot at the entrance with plenty of spaces, but even more people visit. Shishi Chan Temple closes at 6pm, so remember to plan your time accordingly.

✨ 📍It is located at Shishi Chanyuan Station in Haicang District. When you get off at this station, you can see a temple in the distance! Yes, that's it! Then just follow your instincts and walk forward! 😜 🙌The scenery of this temple is simply amazing! It is a little-known niche temple, and many people don't know about this hidden gem! 🤫 It is especially suitable for taking photos, and every corner can produce a blockbuster-like effect. 😎 Moreover, there are pigeons inside, and these pigeons are not afraid of strangers at all! When you walk towards them, they won't fly away, they are super friendly! 🕊️ The architectural style inside the temple is also amazing, with a fusion of yellow and red, looking both solemn and elegant, full of classical charm. 😍 ❗Look at the big bell in the first picture, it is said to be one of the only remaining bells of its kind in the world! Many people come here to ring this bell, praying for disaster relief and blessings, hoping to bring good luck to themselves and their families. 🙏

🍂Do not seek outwardly, but seek from the heart Today's check-in at Xiamen's photogenic temple✨ 🧧Attraction Address: No. 8 Yangshun Road, Haicang District, Xiamen City, Fujian Province, Shishi Zen Temple 🧧Attraction Transportation: Search for 'Shishi Zen Temple' in the map navigation 1⃣️You can take Metro Line 2 to 'Wengjiao Road' Station, Exit 2, and walk 1.7 kilometers after exiting the station. You can also ride a shared bicycle or electric bike. 2⃣️You can take bus No. 958 to 'Shishi Zen Temple' Station and walk 600 meters. 3⃣️For self-driving tours, you can park for free at the square in front of the temple. 🧧Must-visit Attractions: 1⃣️The orange-yellow walls of the scenic area are very suitable for taking photos📷 2⃣️Outside the Drum Tower on the left side of the Mahavira Hall 3⃣️The stairs on the right side behind the Dharma Protector Hall 🧧Ticket Information: Free admission (Summer 06:00-19:00, Winter 07:00-18:00) 🧧Other Tips: 1⃣️Vegetarian meals are provided for free daily starting at 11:30 until supplies last. 2⃣️You can follow the official 'Shishi Zen Temple' for possible blessing activities. 3⃣️There are many mosquitoes on the mountain, so be sure to take mosquito repellent and anti-itch measures. 4⃣️Remember to bring your personal belongings to avoid losing them~

Inside, there are many stone statues in the temple, which is bustling with worshippers and has a long history. It's a peaceful place where the soul can be purified and the mind and body can relax. Shishi Zen Temple is located at the foot of Daimao Mountain in Xinyang Street, Haicang District, Xiamen City. It enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha and has a long history and a beautiful environment, being one of the ancient temples of Southern Fujian for a thousand years. According to the 'Haicheng County Annals', it was built in the third year of Tongguang of the Later Tang Dynasty (AD 925), but existing ancient stone inscriptions record that the founding year was the second year of Chuigong of the Tang Dynasty (AD 686). It has been repaired five times throughout history, with the largest scale during the Ming Dynasty, featuring 'three layers of halls and sixty-four monks' quarters'. Now only the main hall remains, built during the Daoguang era and renovated during the Guangxu era, it has been preserved to this day. Taking photos against the yellow walls is super photogenic!

| Xiamen. The spring breeze in Xiamen Haicang Shishi Zen Monastery has brought the pear blossoms into full bloom, creating a secret paradise. Not only are there ancient buildings, but also blooming pear and cherry blossoms, forming a breathtakingly beautiful picture! However, the blooming period of pear blossoms is very short, only about two weeks, so hurry up and come here to take photos and keep memories, or you'll have to wait until next year. 🔺Shishi Zen Monastery is located in Haicang, Xiamen. Entering from the main gate to the Buddha hall inside the monastery, there are more than 500 stone god statues, which are very rare in Xiamen and even in the whole country. The monastery is full of beautiful scenery, with birds singing and flowers fragrant, all you need to do is to feel with your heart; with a sense of awe, you can finish the tour in about two hours (free admission), and there is also a place in the monastery where you can offer incense. ‼️If you want to find pear trees, you can find several blooming pear trees within the Shishi Zen Monastery, each of which is a great spot for photography. Especially the bright yellow walls on both sides of the main hall, where the pear trees and ancient buildings complement each other, creating a unique charm. The beauty of nature always fascinates people. In this spring, why not come to the Shishi Zen Monastery to experience it, it will definitely make you feel relaxed and leave you with wonderful memories. Location: Shishi Zen Monastery, Haicang District, Xiamen City Transportation: The nearest subway line 2 station is Wengjiao Road, buses reach Shishi Zen Monastery station; drivers can park in the monastery parking lot. 🎫Ticket: No reservation required, free admission.

Although it's not a tourist spot, it surpasses one. In Haicang, Xiamen, the Shishi Zen Monastery in spring is as crowded with tourists as popular attractions. Every day, a large number of tourists flock to the monastery just to see the pear blossoms in full bloom. From the first buds, there are people who record and share the daily progress. As someone who loves flowers, I naturally couldn't stay away and happily went there in spring. Currently, there are three pear trees in bloom at Shishi Zen Monastery, one is to the right of the mountain gate at the entrance. You can see it before entering, and after entering, a short walk to the right will take you there. This tree is the largest and has the widest crown when in bloom. Because it's quite obvious, the crowd mainly gathers around this area, and there are staff members maintaining order on-site. The tree is a bit tall, so bringing a stool can make it more convenient to take portraits. The other two are behind the Daxiong Hall, very close to each other. One of them is great for taking portraits, while the other is good for taking pictures with an empty background. In addition to the pear blossoms, Shishi Zen Monastery also has cherry blossoms, yellow bellflowers, camellias, kapok, and of course, the very photogenic yellow walls. The bright yellow color of the monastery, as long as the weather is good, makes for excellent photos. Due to the beautiful environment, it is very popular with tourists. Because of the pear blossoms, too many people go there every day. If you just want to take landscape photos, I think any time is good as long as the weather is fine. For portraits, it's better to go early in the morning when there are fewer people. Some say to go during lunchtime, and that's what I thought too. But it turns out that nobody seems to need to eat, and it's not that less crowded. Transportation: You can drive there, there is a parking lot at the entrance. Or take the bus to Shishi Zen Monastery station.

In the Shishi Zen Monastery of Haicang, Xiamen, an encounter with spring is quietly unfolding. Although I missed the season when the pear blossoms were in full bloom, I was fortunate to come across the cherry blossoms that were blooming profusely. They were like a magnificent painting, too beautiful for words. The Shishi Zen Monastery, also known as the Lingjiu Mountain Stone Chamber Zen Temple, is a nationally renowned Yakushi Buddha site, located at the foot of Daimao Mountain in Xiayang Village, Xinyang Street, Haicang District. According to the records in the Zhangzhou Prefecture Annals and the imperial edict stele in the monastery, the Zen Monastery was built in the second year of the Tang Dynasty's Chuigong era (i.e., 686 AD), and it has undergone five major renovations from the Song Dynasty to the Republic of China. The Ming Dynasty was its heyday, with 'three layers of halls and sixty-four monks' quarters.' The existing main hall, built during the Qing Dynasty's Daoguang era, was renovated during the Guangxu era, and the current buildings cover a total area of about 5,000 square meters. Walking into the temple is like entering an isolated fairyland. The breath of spring pervades every corner, with pear and cherry blossoms falling like snowflakes, creating a dreamlike atmosphere. The tranquility of the temple contrasts with the splendor of the flowers, allowing one to experience the charm of nature and the beauty of life. Here, there are no noisy city sounds, only the whispers of birds and the gentle caress of the breeze. In this peaceful atmosphere, we can slow down, calm our minds, and feel the tranquility and joy within. The Shishi Zen Monastery has a long history, with scenic spots such as mountain stones, Guanyin Cliff, Sword Testing Stone, and Immortal's Foot Stone. Temple flowers: pear blossoms, cherry blossoms, kapok, and yellow trumpet trees. The pear blossoms are already at their end, and the flower season is almost over; cherry blossoms are blooming one after another, with many along the path of the 500 Arhats; kapok flowers are next to the bell tower; yellow trumpet trees are beside the Great Buddha Hall, but their flowering season is also nearly over. lthyu takes you on a tour of Xiamen Shishi Zen Monastery Xiayang Village, Haicang, Xiamen (beside the national highway)

❤️Reasons to recommend: The Shishi Zen Monastery is lush and verdant, with pear blossoms in the rain, which is very pleasing to the eye. However, what this ancient temple can offer more is the feeling of a Buddhist sanctuary. If you want to relax your mind and release the pressure of work, pick an early morning or evening, walk alone on the temple's small path lined with fresh flowers and standing Arhats, and you can very well clear your mind. I recommend friends to give it a try.

The Zen temple, located in Haicang District, Xiamen City, features over 500 Arhat stone statues from the entrance to the inner hall of the temple, each with a unique expression, offering a picturesque viewing experience. Under the Bodhi tree, there are divine presences, making it an exquisitely beautiful spot for those in the know. Everywhere you look there is beauty, with birds singing and flowers fragrant. Simply pay attention and feel, and you will be immersed in the Zen atmosphere, bringing peace to the mind and soul, making it the perfect season to enjoy the flowers.

The pear blossoms that have been flooding friends' circles are really gorgeous, and I finally waited for a sunny day to visit the Shishi Zen Monastery to see them. Before even entering the main gate, I was captivated by the snow-white pear blossoms beside the mountain gate. After entering, I headed straight for my destination, and boy, there were so many people. It was quite difficult to take a photo with the pear blossoms; there were heads everywhere. But the flowers were beautiful and a delight to the eyes! Due to the large number of people taking photos and the height of the pear blossoms, if you want to take a nice photo with the flowers, it's recommended to bring a stool, but be mindful of safety. Currently, there are three pear trees in full bloom in the monastery: one on the right side of the main gate and two behind the Mahavira Hall. The monastery is beautiful, and there are also many types of flowers blooming in spring. The yellow walls of the monastery are also very popular for taking portraits. Many places in the entire monastery are excellent for photography, which is an important element of its popularity. In the afternoon on a sunny day, it's usually as crowded as grains of rice. Although there is a parking lot in front of the monastery, sometimes it's not enough. At any time during the day, it feels very crowded. I've seen others share that they arrive before the mountain gate opens and as soon as it does, they immediately go to take photos, as there are fewer people during this time, making it better for portraits. I've seen people share which subway station to get off at, but it doesn't seem very close. From what I've researched at home, the public transport is to take the bus to the Shishi Zen Monastery stop. It's quite close. Whether there are parking spaces for those driving is usually a yes. But now, with the pear blossoms in full bloom and so many people going to enjoy the flowers, whether you can find a parking space is a matter of luck.

After the Spring Equinox, the southern part of China starts to welcome the plum rain season. Drizzles that sometimes just won't stop can be quite annoying. But at such times, the air is fresh and moist, perfect for going out to breathe the fresh air of nature🍃. And visiting a Zen temple in the rain can be an even more poetic experience. Wandering through the winding paths of the mountains and forests, the rain-soaked peach blossoms are softer and more delicate, the white pear blossoms are even more pure and transcendent... In the eyes of Buddha, every plant and tree has life; In the mundane world, we wait quietly for the flowers to bloom, nurturing the mind. Gentle breeze and fine rain, a sea of mist and flowers, No matter how big the world is, no matter how far the journey is, the heart always needs a place to stay. To settle your worldly cares, or perhaps a pure land of lotus flowers🪷. ... 📍Shishi Zen Temple Admission: Free Transportation: Metro Line 2 (Wengjiao Road Station Exit 4) 🚇About one kilometer walk from the metro, accessible by bus🚌 as well. 🚗Free parking for self-driving🅿️, may need to queue on weekends. Location of pear trees👇 ✔️The first one is to the right after entering the main gate, up the stone path. ✔️Go up the steps beside the Daxiong Hall to photograph the yellow wall with pear blossoms. ✔️Behind the small pavilion to the right of the big bell👉. In addition to pear blossoms, there are also cherry blossoms, bauhinia, camellia, and golden trumpet trees blooming beautifully... It gets very crowded, with fewer people before 9 am and after 5 pm.

| Visiting the blooming pear blossoms at Shishi Zen Monastery. Spring Outing Memoir | Visiting the blooming pear blossoms at Shishi Zen Monastery🌸🍃 Good rain knows the season, when spring is happening. The pear blossoms of Shishi Zen Monastery bloom on schedule, only for a short two weeks each year. They are expected to wither by next Monday, so friends who want to enjoy them should hurry and go this weekend! If you want to take pictures with fewer people, it is recommended to set out at 8 am, as there will be fewer people and the experience will be better, because it gets too crowded! There are four pear trees in Shishi Zen Monastery, the largest one is on the right side of the main gate, and the other three are behind the Daxiong Treasure Hall. 📍Location: Haicang Shishi Zen Monastery 🚇Subway: Take subway line 2 to Wengjiao Road station, then ride a shared e-bike to get there. ⏰Temple opening hours: 8:00-18:00 🎫Ticket: Free 🚗Parking lot: Available If you go late, it will be crowded, so it is recommended to take photos of the pear tree in the small open space behind the Daxiong Treasure Hall! Because there was an event when I went, so it was not possible to take pictures. In addition to pear blossoms, there are other flowers blooming in the monastery, such as yellow trumpet flowers, cherry blossoms, etc. Recommended equipment is the Fujifilm camera xs20 with a 16-80f4 lens and cc filter.