Jingci Temple
净慈寺
A thousand-year-old Chan temple directly opposite Leifeng Pagoda, where the monk Jigong was ordained. 'Evening Bell at Nanping' is one of the Ten Scenes of West Lake.
Jingci Temple was first built in the Wuyue kingdom of the Five Dynasties in 954. It and Lingyin Temple are known as the two great temples of West Lake's north and south. Jigong once became a monk here. The bell tower holds a large bronze bell weighing about 10 tons. When its evening chime echoes over the lake, it is the 'Evening Bell at Nanping'. Every New Year's Eve there is a bell-ringing event to welcome the new year. Admission is about 10 yuan. The temple is on Nanshan Road, directly opposite Leifeng Pagoda, and can be visited together with Leifeng Pagoda and Changqiao Park.
Opening hours
Approx. 06:00–17:00
Nearby sights
- China National Silk Museum
- Zhejiang Art Museum
- Leifeng Pagoda
- Wansong Academy
- Taiziwan Park
- West Lake
- Liulang Wenying (Orioles Singing in the Willows)
- Three Pools Mirroring the Moon