[2025 Tiantai Attraction] Travel Guide for Tongxuansi (Updated Jun)

So far!! My favorite hidden gem in Zhejiang has appeared. Xu Xiake once visited this place and recorded his travel experience in Tiantai Mountain in detail in the opening chapter of his *The Travel Diaries of Xu Xiake*, *Diary of Tiantai Mountain*. Standing in front of the Tiantai Mountain Grand Waterfall, I finally understood the breathtaking scene described by Li Bai in his poem: "Its torrent dashes down three thousand feet from on high, as if the Milky Way were falling from the ninth heaven." The cascading water curtain truly resembles the Milky Way pouring down from the heavens, leaving people in awe. Location: Tiantai County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province One-Day Itinerary Guoqing Temple → Tiantai Mountain Grand Waterfall → Tongbai Palace → Tongxuan Temple Transportation Each scenic spot is very close, less than half an hour by taxi. Guoqing Temple Free, 1-hour visit This is the birthplace of the Japanese Tendai Buddhist sect. At the entrance, there is a well-preserved thousand-year-old Sui Dynasty pagoda. Inside the courtyard, there is a thousand-year-old plum tree from the Sui Dynasty, a bronze censer from the Qianlong period with the inscription "Long Live the Emperor," two large white marble guardian lions, the thousand-year-old single-hole stone arch bridge "Fenggan Bridge," a screen wall of the Sui Dynasty temple, and cliff inscriptions by Wang Xizhi, Liu Gongquan, Zhu Xi, and others. Tiantai Mountain Grand Waterfall ¥100, 3-hour visit Those who don't want to climb the mountain can view the waterfall from below. The waterfall is very high, with a drop of 325 meters and a width of up to 100 meters in some areas. The nine connected waterfalls are truly spectacular. Those who are tired can return from the Water Curtain Cave. There are buses available for the descent. Tongxuan Temple Free, 1-hour visit Actresses Zhao Liying and Liu Shishi have filmed here and stayed in the courtyard. This is a Tang Dynasty-style Zen courtyard. You can also pet Shiba Inus and kittens in the courtyard, which is adorable. Tongbai Palace Free, 1-hour visit This is the ancestral home of the Southern School of Taoism, with a beautiful setting surrounded by mountains and water. Accommodation I stayed at the Home Inn Neo City Square. It's 1 minute from the bus station, 7 minutes from the high-speed rail station, and 15 minutes from Guoqing Temple. It felt different from the ones I've stayed in before; the lobby and rooms were cleaner and brighter. The semi-open layout of the lobby felt very relaxing and welcoming. The warm and blue color scheme in the room made me feel comfortable and at ease. I slept in the "Deep Sleep" double room, which was equipped with a zero-pressure deep sleep pillow and mattress. I fell asleep as soon as my head hit the pillow. For breakfast, I recommend the "Home Inn Noodles," which are tomato and egg noodles at this hotel.

Tongxuan Temple is a quiet and peaceful place that once attracted Zhao Liying to visit. The temple buildings are in the Tang and Song styles, full of ancient charm, and the ancient cedar trees in front of the temple add a sense of history. There are many small animals, such as dogs, cats, and sika deer, that are close to people and add vitality to the temple. There are many meditation activities, such as sitting meditation and copying scriptures, which can help people calm down and focus. The vegetarian meals are simple but rich, and the red bean porridge is delicious. Travel tips - Transportation: It is recommended to drive. It takes about 40 minutes to drive from the foot of the mountain to the temple. - Tickets: No tickets are required for visiting, but accommodation or related activities need to be booked with the master in advance. - Opening hours: Open from 7:30 am to 12:00 pm and 2:00 pm to 5:00 pm from Monday to Thursday, closed at other times. - Accommodation: You can stay at Huizhao Courtyard for CNY 500 per night. You need to add the master's WeChat to book. The rooms are clean and tidy, with a Japanese style. - Activities: You can experience meditation, copying scriptures, and other activities for free. Paid activities such as tea ceremonies require separate fees. - Notes: Dress appropriately, do not wear short skirts or backless clothes, etc.; follow the temple's schedule, do not make noise; do not bring meat or fish into the temple.

This small courtyard is located in Tongxuan Temple on Mount Tiantai, a very quiet and quaint place. The temple offers accommodation and vegetarian meals, allowing you to stay for a while, chant scriptures, copy scriptures, meditate, and comprehend the Buddhist way, temporarily setting aside the trivial matters of the mundane world. The temple is a wooden structure in the style of the Song Dynasty, with all wooden floors and old objects inside, which are very well maintained; there are lovely dogs (seemingly named Shuai Shuai) and clingy cats in the temple, and you can interact with them, as they are very friendly and gentle. Sitting on the corridor, staring at the blue sky in a daze, with a dog lying at your feet, the surroundings are very quiet, and so is the heart— at this moment, you can truly forget all the worldly anxieties, and troubles seem to vanish in an instant. The temple is located in Shiliang Town, Tiantai County, Taizhou, and the courtyard is free to visit. You can navigate to 'Tongxuan Temple' and drive there.

The 5A scenic spot does not charge admission! Vegetarian meal only 2 yuan! The master cultivates the land himself, sowing in spring and harvesting in autumn... It is the birthplace of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism. Even if you don’t make a wish, walking around can be deeply healing! … I was infected by the atmosphere and didn't dare to speak loudly. The farmland of Guoqing Temple and the thousand-year-old Sui Dynasty pagoda in the distance The thousand-year-old Sui plum tree has come back to life since the Sui Dynasty Bronze furnace with the inscription of "Sheng Shou Yong Boundless" from the Qianlong period The big white marble lion at the entrance of the temple🦁️ Wang Xizhi's authentic Chinese character "Goose" The thousand-year-old "Fenggan Bridge" single-hole stone arch bridge Screen wall of "Ancient Temple of Sui Dynasty" … 📍Purpose: Guoqing Temple 🚄High-speed Railway "Tiantai Mountain" Station … 📝An additional guide for 1⃣️ tour: 🚅Tiantai Mountain Station👉Guoqing Temple👉Tongbai Palace👉Tongxuan Temple👉Tiantai Mountain Waterfall👉Tiantai County (dinner) … ✅Guoqing Temple, one of the four wonders of Chinese temples, has an ancient temple from the Sui Dynasty, a Sui Dynasty pagoda, and Sui Dynasty plum blossoms. It is a 5A scenic spot with no admission fee, hidden in the mountains, quiet and peaceful… ✅Tongbai Palace, the ancestral home of Southern Taoism, is like the residence of immortals... ✅Tongxuan Temple, Southern Song Dynasty architecture, Zen courtyard, so beautiful that Liu Shishi and Zhao Liying came to check in ✅Tiantai Mountain Waterfall, 325 meters high, one of the highest waterfalls in China …

5A-rated scenic spot is surprisingly free of charge, and the vegetarian meal is only 2 yuan! The monks cultivate the land by hand, with the seasons changing, yielding a full harvest... This is the birthplace of the Tendai sect of Japanese Buddhism, with a long history. Even if not for praying, just strolling around is enough to purify the soul! ... The atmosphere inside the temple naturally makes people lower their voices, not daring to make noise. The farmlands around Guoqing Temple, the millennium-old Sui Dynasty pagoda in the distance, The surviving deadwood and millennium Sui plum trees from the Sui Dynasty, The bronze furnace from the Qianlong era, The white marble lions guarding the entrance, The authentic 'Goose' character stele inscription by Wang Xizhi, The thousand-year-old Fenggan Bridge with its single-hole stone arch design, And the iconic 'Ancient Sui Dynasty Temple' screen wall... ... Destination: Guoqing Temple High-speed train station: 'Mount Tiantai' station ... Attached is a brief travel guide: Depart from Mount Tiantai station & Guoqing Temple & Tongbai Palace & Tongxuan Temple & Mount Tiantai Great Waterfall & Tiantai County Town (for dining) ... Guoqing Temple, as one of the four famous temples in China, has ancient temples, pagodas, and plum trees from the Sui Dynasty, and is a 5A-rated scenic area that can be visited without a ticket, hidden in the mountains, with a quiet and elegant environment... Tongbai Palace, a holy site of the southern sect of Taoism, is like a fairyland... Tongxuan Temple, with its Southern Song Dynasty-style architecture, is a small courtyard with a strong Zen atmosphere, so beautiful that even celebrities like Liu Shishi and Zhao Liying have come to visit. Mount Tiantai Great Waterfall, known for its spectacular 325-meter drop, is one of the highest waterfalls in China.

Zhao Liying and Liu Shishi have both come to this ancient temple for Zen meditation It's so low-key that few people reach it, located at the top of the mountain on the northwest corner of Tiantai Mountain After a winding mountain road with eighteen turns, there's still a short dirt path to reach it Tongxuan Temple was founded in the first year of Tianfu of the Later Jin Dynasty (936 AD) It is the first ancient temple created by the great master Deshao of the Fayan sect of Buddhism during the Five Dynasties period on Tiantai Mountain Arriving at sunset, met a few enthusiastic dogs in the temple The Zen rooms of the ancient temple truly embody the saying 'A winding path leads to a secluded spot, where the Zen rooms are deep amidst flowers and trees' The frozen greenery under the setting sun shines like crystals❄️ The Zen courtyard, still not free from snow, has a beauty that seems not of this world No wonder the master, facing such scenery, spontaneously recited the Zen verse: 'At the peak of Tongxuan, it is not the human world, outside the heart there is no dharma, only green mountains fill the eyes.'🍃 Meditating, walking dogs, ringing bells, stealing a moment of leisure at Tongxuan Temple, slow down to feel the morning and evening bells, the sunrise and sunset, experience the passage of time while maintaining inner peace, and enjoy the selfless freedom. After all, the ultimate coolness is Tongxuan.🍵

I quietly took half a day off, choosing to take a brief leave from the bustling world and arrived at Huizhao Courtyard in Tiantai County, Taizhou. Here, I played with cats and dogs, savored tea, burned incense, and cast away worldly troubles from my mind, wishing only to savor a moment of tranquility. 🚗 Transportation: Self-drive/Taxi search 🔍 locate Tongxuan Temple We stayed one night at Guoqing Temple and then took a taxi to Tongxuan Temple, which cost 46 yuan. ☎️ Reservation: Please contact the master in advance to confirm the room before check-in. The price for a standard room is 500 yuan per night, including morning and evening vegetarian meals, Zen meditation, and scripture copying; an additional 30 yuan per person is required for reserving a noon meal. 🛏️ Guest rooms: Huizhao Courtyard is decorated with wood, and the central courtyard is designed in the style of dry landscape, antique and fresh. The rooms are equipped with hot water, floor heating, toiletries, slippers, and a hairdryer, making the accommodation very comfortable. 🕐 Daily Schedule: - 5:30 Wake up - 6:00-7:00 Zen meditation experience - 7:30 Morning meal - 11:30 Noon meal - 17:30 Evening meal - 19:00 Scripture copying Meditators can participate in the above activities as they wish, or apply to sweep the courtyard, feed deer, etc. The master will notify in advance before all activities after 7:30. 🍵 Reservations can be made for paid experiences in flower arrangement, tea ceremony, and incense ceremony, enriching your stay.

How to get there Direct navigation: Tongxuan Temple, because it is on the mountain, public transportation is not convenient It is recommended to drive or take a taxi. There is an open space next to the temple for parking. 【About reservation】 🏠Accommodation needs to be booked in advance, 500/night, meals are provided, but you need to contact the master in advance to make an appointment. I heard that if you stay, you can also make an appointment with the master in advance for hand-copied scriptures, incense and other experience activities 🚗If you don't need accommodation, you can go directly there. No tickets are required for taking photos and visiting the living area 【Warm reminder】 1. The entrance to the temple living area is through a red railing iron gate, located between two cement bungalows. 2. There are many cats and dogs adopted in the temple. Some dogs are very enthusiastic. Be careful not to let your belongings be bitten away. 3. If you visit the temple, you are not allowed to eat or make loud noises.

'Choosing to burn incense between work and progress' has become a way for many young people to relieve stress. A clean monk, three sticks of incense, listening to the Sanskrit, smelling the incense... It seems that all the troubles and anxieties will be released in the temple The advanced way to relieve stress in the temple is to stay in the temple and practice meditation, copying scriptures, worshiping Buddha, stopping talking and walking, vegetarian food, and you can also attend morning classes with the master, meditate and chant, listen to the morning bell and evening drum I have sorted out 7️⃣ temple guides, you can sign up for meditation courses, volunteer recruitment, or directly live in the temple to change the environment, and start a journey of healing the body and mind 🎐 🔸Tongxuan Temple Most people come to Tiantai Mountain to go to Duguqing Temple, but there is also a hidden small temple Tongxuan Temple, Liu Shishi's magazine blockbuster in 'Yueyou', and Zhao Liying's magazine blockbuster in 'Glass' were filmed here. The temple's accommodation is 500 yuan/night, including three vegetarian meals. 🎫Ticket: Free 📌Address: Tianpei Line, Tiantai County, Taizhou City 🚗Transportation: No public transportation, take a taxi after the high-speed rail to Tiantai County, about 40min 🔸Fajing Temple Fajing Temple is the only Buddhist female venue in Hangzhou, and it is also the place where the well-known Sansheng Stone is located. The rooms in the temple were originally provided for the believers in Hangzhou to stay, and now they are also open to the public, but they still hope that those who come to stay are people of the same frequency, because it is a female venue, so it is also mainly to receive women. The room types are standard rooms and 4-person bunks. The standard room is 200 yuan, the bunk is 60 yuan, but the bunk does not have a separate bathroom. Accommodation does not include meal costs, and you need to pay an additional 10 yuan for the ticket, and then you can enter and exit the temple unlimited times. 🎫Ticket: 10 yuan/person 📌Address: No. 66 Tianzhu Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou 🚗Transportation: Bus No. 103 'Three Tianzhu' Station 🔸Zanghai Temple Zanghai Temple is hidden on the top of Yushan in Changshu, surrounded by towering ancient trees, and it appears more majestic and magnificent against the many landscapes of Yushan Jianmen. Staying here, there are also many activities to participate in, such as pre-booking meditation, lectures, Dharma meetings, lighting prayers, sewing blessing bags, copying the Heart Sutra and short tours around Yushan, etc., can be booked in advance. 🎫Ticket: Scenic area ticket 30 yuan/person 📌Address: No. 30 Yushan Middle Road, Changshu City, Suzhou 🚗Transportation: Changshu You 1 Road Jianmen Scenic Area Station 🔸Chanyuan Temple Located in the depths of the Xitianmu Mountain Scenic Area, it has gone through more than 1,700 years of wind and rain, and has produced three national teachers. Living here, you can taste tea and meditate, pray for blessings and copy scriptures, and you can also take a walk around the temple. There are few tourists, very quiet, and you can fully appreciate the natural beauty of Xitianmu Mountain. 🎫Ticket: Free 📌Address: Inside the Tianmu Mountain Scenic Area, Lin'an District, Hangzhou City 🚗Transportation: Take the subway line 16 to Jiuzhou Street Station, and take a taxi to Chanyuan Temple 🔸Xianghai Zen Temple, originally named Fushan Temple There is a huge bell weighing 1,300 jin in the temple, known as the 'bell sound spreads thousands of miles'. It does not directly provide accommodation to the outside world. You can sign up for the temple's monthly meditation courses or volunteers. The accommodation environment is relatively simple, but very clean. There are single rooms, four-person rooms and multi-person rooms, and toiletries need to be brought by yourself. If you sign up for a meditation course, there will be different course content every month, the price is around 200 yuan, and you can choose according to your needs. 🎫Ticket: Free 📌Address: Puyuan Town, Tongxiang, Jiaxing City 🚗Transportation: Take a taxi to the high-speed rail to Tongxiang Station or Jiaxing South 🔸Jingshan Temple Jingshan Temple, also known as Wanshou Zen Temple, is the last peak after the sinicization of Buddhism, and it is also the 'first of the five major Zen temples in the south of the Yangtze River'. If you want to come to the temple for meditation and accommodation, you can sign up for the temple's volunteer recruitment or meditation courses. Volunteers provide free vegetarian meals and accommodation, and the environment is also very clean and tidy, with 4-person bunk beds. 🎫Ticket: 30 yuan/person 📌Address: Jingshan Town, Yuhang District, Hangzhou City 🚗Transportation: Transfer to the scenic area shuttle bus at the Dajingshan Tourism Distribution Center 🔸Xilin Zen Temple Different from other temples, Xilin Zen Temple is surrounded by rice fragrance all over the ground, lotus leaves are connected to the fields, and the temple has also opened up 'self-sufficient farmland', making meditation more life-like. The temple has a noon vegetarian meal, 15 yuan/person, and there is also a single Fudian coffee built in the rice field next to it. In summer, you can enjoy lotus and watch the rice field. 🎫Ticket: Free 📌Address: No. 206 Wenshan Road, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City 🚗Transportation: Drive to Xilin Zen Temple, free parking at the door

Don’t just go to Guoqing Temple when you go to Tiantai. Follow Liu Shishi and Zhao Liying to check in at Tongxuan Temple There are many cats and dogs in the temple, especially this Labrador "Shuai Shuai" is so cute~ Location: Tongxuan Temple, Tiantai County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province 🚗Transportation: It is recommended to drive by yourself (about 40 minutes from the foot of the mountain) 🎫: Tickets: No tickets are required for visiting (but accommodation needs to be booked in advance and there is a charge) - ⭕️tips 1⃣ No shorts, short skirts, backless clothes or strange clothes 2⃣ Do not bring any meat or fish, and do not feed small animals 3⃣Don’t cross the black stone line in the temple yard when taking photos