Zijin Nunnery
紫金庵
A thousand-year-old temple deep in Dongshan, famous for its Song-dynasty clay statues of the Sixteen Arhats. It is considered one of the “Two and a Half Halls of Arhats Under Heaven.”
Zijin Nunnery lies in Ximao Valley of Dongshan Town, Wuzhong District. It is said to have been founded in the Tang dynasty. Its most famous feature is the sixteen painted clay statues of arhats in the main hall, which are said to have been made by Southern Song sculptors Lei Chao and his wife. The figures have lifelike expressions and flowing drapery, and the hall is considered one of the “Two and a Half Halls of Arhats Under Heaven.” The nunnery is quiet, surrounded by tea gardens, and in spring you can taste fresh Biluochun tea. Admission is about 20 yuan. It can be combined with the Carved Building and Qiyuan Garden for a Dongshan day trip.
Opening hours
07:30–17:00
Nearby sights
- Qiyuan Garden
- Chunzai Lou (Carved Building)
- Luxiang Ancient Village
- Dongshan (Qiyuan & Diaohua Building)
- Shigongshan
- Linwu Cave
- Sanshan Island
- Mingyuewan Ancient Village