The Grand Xiangguo Temple

The Grand Xiangguo Temple is regarded as one of the most famous Buddhist monasteries in China, located on Ziyou Lu Road. It was originally built in 555 and named as Jianguo Monastery, then in 712 during Tang Dynasty, it was renamed as Xiangguo Temple for the emperors memoring his coronation from prince of Xiang state. The temple was renovated in 1671 during the reign of Enperor Kangxi of Qing Dynasty.

The Grand Xiangguo Temple remains four halls: the heavenly King, Hall of Mahavira, Hall of the Octagonal Glaro, Hall of the Buddhist Scriptures and Hall of the Thousand-hand-and-Eye Buddhist. In the Octagonal Hall, there is a wooden statue of Avalokitesvara with four faces and one thousand hands and eyes, which is five meters high and 4 tons weight and was carved from a thousand year old gingko in the time of Qianiong.. The statue is glided all over and looks very gorgeous. In the Bell Tower, a giant bell is hung on the top, made during the Qing Dynasty. It is 3 meters high and weighs 5 tons. When it is striked, the bell can be heard all over the town.