#Shishi Taoist Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jul)
Historical Sites
Temples
Address:
8 Yangshun Rd, Haicang Qu, Xiamen Shi, Fujian Sheng, China
Opening times:
Opens at 08:00-18:00Open
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hour
Phone:
0592-5817737
Xiamen is not only about Gulangyu, but also home to Shishi Zen Temple, one of the thousand-year-old ancient temples of Southern Fujian
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!
SilverLining4242
The Millennium Ancient Temple Shishi Zen Monastery
The Millennium Ancient Temple Shishi Zen Monastery is located on Daimei Mountain in Haicang District, Xiamen. According to the existing ancient stone inscriptions, it was founded in the second year of the Tang Dynasty's Chuigong era (686 AD), and is one of the ancient temples in southern Fujian that has been around for a thousand years. It has been renovated five times during the Song, Yuan, Ming, Qing, and the Republic of China periods, with the largest scale being during the Ming Dynasty, featuring 'three layers of halls and sixty-four monks' quarters'. Now only the main hall remains, which was built during the Daoguang period and renovated during the Guangxu period. The existing buildings cover a total area of about 5,000 square meters, with the courtyard inside the temple walls measuring 21.8 meters in length, 11.5 meters in width, and 12 meters in depth. The Shishi Zen Monastery faces south and is backed by the northern mountains, where the 'Youcheng Ancient Fortress' and 'Jianshan Ancient Fortress' are relics of Qi Jiguang's resistance against the Wokou pirates during the Ming Dynasty.
NomadicOdyssey
To see the pear blossoms hidden in a corner of the Shishi Zen Monastery in Xiamen are too beautiful
| 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.
atticus.valerian.hawthorne
In Xiamen, don't miss the pear blossoms blooming in the spring at Shishi Zen Monastery
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.
Travelicious Flavors
The temple in spring is so beautiful
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)
FELIX POWELL
A place to cleanse the soul - Shishi Zen Monastery
❤️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.
N1ghtw1sp_Wh1spl3
The Zen temple is filled with the sounds of birds and the fragrance of flowers
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.
collins_the_hollins
The pear blossoms in Xiamen during spring are so beautiful
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.
GlobalVibes
Xiamen Haicang Shishi Zen Temple Free Flower Viewing Guide!! A tree of pear blossoms, a tree of spring
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.
NovaKnight
Spring Outing Memoir | Visiting the blooming pear blossoms at Shishi Zen Monastery
| 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.