Daming Temple
大明寺
An ancient temple from the Southern Dynasties and the monastery where Jianzhen stayed before his voyage east. The Tang-style Jianzhen Memorial Hall, Ouyang Xiu's Pingshan Hall and the nine-story Qiling Pagoda stand on Shugang Hill, overlooking Slender West Lake.
Daming Temple sits on the central peak of Shugang Hill, just outside the North Gate of Slender West Lake. It was first built during the Daming era of the Liu Song dynasty of the Southern Dynasties (457–464), which gave it its name. During the Tianbao era of the Tang dynasty, the eminent monk Jianzhen served as its abbot, and he made six voyages east to Japan to spread Buddhism and culture. Highlights inside include the Mahavira Hall and the Hall of Heavenly Kings, which were rebuilt in the Qing dynasty. The Jianzhen Memorial Hall was designed by Liang Sicheng and completed in 1973. Modeled on the Golden Hall of Toshodai-ji in Nara, Japan, it is a Tang-style building that houses a dry lacquer seated statue of Jianzhen, copied from the original in Nara, and it is a symbol of Sino-Japanese exchange. The Lingqi Pagoda is a nine-story square pagoda rebuilt in 1993, 70 meters tall. Climbing it gives a panoramic view of Slender West Lake and Yangzhou city, making it the best vantage point for photographing the lake. Pingshan Hall was built in 1048, in the 8th year of the Qingli era of the Northern Song, when Ouyang Xiu was prefect of Yangzhou. Its line 'the distant mountains come level with this hall' gave it its name. Later Su Shi built the Gulin Hall and an Ouyang Shrine here. In the Xiyuan Garden are the 'Fifth Spring Under Heaven' and imperial stone tablets from the Kangxi and Qianlong emperors. The Jianzhen Square in front of the temple connects with the North Gate of Slender West Lake. A visit takes about 1.5 hours. Admission is about RMB 45, including the pagoda climb. Spring during the Qiong Flower Festival is crowded. Getting there: it's a 5-minute walk from the North Gate of Slender West Lake, or take bus Tour 1 or Tour 2 to Daming Temple station. Notes: climbing the pagoda takes stamina, and its stairs are steep. Photography is forbidden inside the halls. Try the vegetarian noodles and buns from the temple. There is a tea area beside Pingshan Hall where you can rest and enjoy the view.
Opening hours
07:45–17:30
Nearby sights
- Songjiacheng Park
- Tomb of Emperor Yang of Sui
- Han Guangling Tomb Museum
- Slender West Lake
- Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou Memorial Hall
- Yechun Teahouse
- Tianning & Chongning Temples
- Shi Kefa Memorial Hall