Xichan Temple
怡山长庆寺（西禅寺）
One of Fuzhou's five great Chan monasteries, with a fifteen-story Bao'en Pagoda and an ancient Song-dynasty lychee tree, and with imposing halls.
Xichan Temple lies on Gongye Road in Gulou District. It was founded in 867, in the eighth year of the Xiantong era of the Tang dynasty, and is one of Fuzhou's five great Chan monasteries. Most of the surviving halls date from the Qing dynasty or were rebuilt after reform and opening. The Heavenly King Hall, the Great Buddha Hall and the Dharma Hall stand in sequence. Behind the temple, the fifteen-story Bao'en Pagoda is about 67 meters tall and is one of the tallest pagodas in Fuzhou. The 'Song Lychee' in the temple is said to have been planted in the Song dynasty, and it has a distinctive flavor when the lychees ripen in summer. Admission is free, though some periods charge a small fee for incense and flower tickets. Dress appropriately. Getting there: take Metro Line 2 to Xihong Road Station, or take a bus to Xichan Temple Station.
Opening hours
About 06:00–17:30
Nearby sights
- Fudao Forest Trail
- Three Lanes and Seven Alleys
- Fujian Museum
- Wushan Hill & Black Pagoda
- Daming Road Food Street
- Fuzhou West Lake Park
- Kaiyuan Temple (Fuzhou)
- Yushan Hill & White Pagoda