Dajue Temple & Yunhu Lake
大觉寺·云湖
The ancestral temple where Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, headquartered in Taiwan, China, was ordained as a monk. Rebuilt under Fo Guang Shan's direction, it features grand halls and fine murals and sculptures, set against the scenery of Yunhu Lake.
Dajue Temple sits within the Yunhu scenic area in Xizhu Town, western Yixing. It was first built during the Song dynasty. It is the ancestral temple where Master Hsing Yun, founder of Fo Guang Shan, headquartered in Taiwan, China, was ordained as a monk. Starting in the 2000s, Fo Guang Shan oversaw its reconstruction near the original site. The temple is built along the mountain and beside the lake. Its Great Buddha Hall, Guanyin Hall, and Buddha Light Tower are all on a grand scale. The corridors display large Buddhist murals and a sculpture group illustrating Hsing Yun's teaching parables. The lotus pond, the covered walkways, and the views over Yunhu Lake are ideal for a slow walk and photos. The temple's vegetarian meals are also well known.
Entry is generally free, subject to official notice. A visit takes about 2 to 3 hours. The temple is about 30 km from Yixing city center, so you will need a car or a hired vehicle. It can be combined with the Bamboo Sea and Shanjuan Cave on a southwestern route.
Opening hours
Approx. 08:00-17:00 (check official announcements)
Nearby sights
- Shanjuan Cave
- Yixing Bamboo Sea
- Longchishan Bicycle Park
- Taozu Shengjing Scenic Area
- Linggu Cave
- Longbeishan Forest Park
- China Yixing Ceramics Museum
- Zhanggong Cave