Feilai Gorge & Feilai Temple
飞来寺
The famous Qingyuan Gorge of the North River, where the thousand-year-old Feilai Temple clings to the cliffs above the water. It is one of the Eight Scenic Wonders of Guangdong.
Feilai Gorge is the stretch of the North River that flows through Qingyuan. It is also called Qingyuan Gorge or Zhongsu Gorge. Steep cliffs line both banks and the river opens wide, and it was once known as the “First Gorge of Guangdong.” Feilai Temple on the gorge is said to have been founded in the Liang dynasty of the Southern Dynasties. Legend holds that it “flew” overnight from Shuzhou in Anhui, which gives the temple its name. The temple is built into the mountain, with a riverside pier, archways and tiered halls. It echoes the Cangxia Cave and the Feixia Mountain Taoist temples across the river. You can take a North River cruise from downtown Qingyuan to Feilai Temple, or drive nearby and climb up to it. Admission and boat fares are as published. The nearby Feixia Mountain Scenic Area, known for its Taoist ancient buildings and mountain forests, can be visited on the same trip. The Feilai Gorge hydropower hub on the middle reach of the North River is also in this area. Cruises may be suspended when rainy-season waters rise.
Opening hours
About 08:00–17:30
Nearby sights
- Feixia Scenic Area
- Niuyuzui Forest Park
- Huangteng Gorge
- Chimelong Qingyuan Forest Kingdom
- Qingyuan Chimelong Maglev Line
- Taihe Ancient Cave
- Shangyue Walled Village
- Gulong Gorge