Cao'an Manichaean Temple
草庵
The only surviving Manichaean temple site in the world, with a Yuan dynasty Manichaean Buddha statue carved into the rock. It is a unique stop in Quanzhou's World Heritage listing.
Cao'an lies at the foot of Huabiao Mountain in Luoshan Subdistrict, Jinjiang City. It is the only complete Manichaean (Mingjiao) temple site surviving in the world. Inside the stone chamber is a seated Manichaean Buddha statue carved from the rock in the Yuan dynasty. Its facial features and clothing blend Buddhist and Daoist styles. The site is a unique testament to multi-faith exchange in Quanzhou and is a World Heritage site. Free admission. A visit takes about 30 to 40 minutes. It lies about 25 kilometers from Quanzhou's old city. Taking a taxi and combining it with Wudianshi and Anping Bridge is recommended.
Opening hours
08:00–17:00 (check official site)
Nearby sights
- Wudianshi Historic District
- Anping Bridge
- Cai Family Ancient Residences
- Deji Gate Ruins
- Quanzhou Tianhou Temple
- Zhenwu Temple
- Qingjing Mosque
- Tonghuai Guanyue Temple