Fawang Temple
法王寺
An ancient Eastern Han temple at the southern foot of Taishi Mountain, considered one of China's earliest Buddhist temples, second only to White Horse Temple. A Tang dynasty brick pagoda stands behind it.
Fawang Temple sits at the foot of Yuzhu Peak, north of Dengfeng town. Legend says it was first built during the Yongping era of the Eastern Han, making it one of China's earliest Buddhist temples. It has been destroyed and rebuilt many times, and most of the surviving halls are later reconstructions. On the slope behind the temple stands a fifteen-tier Tang dynasty brick pagoda with closely set eaves, about 35 meters tall. Together with smaller Yuan and Ming pagodas nearby, it forms a pagoda cluster and is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit. In front of the temple, visitors can look out over Dengfeng town, a scene known as 'Waiting for the Moon at Song Gate.' Admission is paid on site. It is about 1 km from the Songyue Temple Pagoda, can be reached on foot, and is quiet, with few visitors.
Opening hours
08:00–17:30 (check on site)
Nearby sights
- Songyue Temple Pagoda
- Taishi Mountain & Junji Peak
- Songyang Academy
- Zen Shaolin Music Ceremony
- Mount Song & Sanhuangzhai
- Zhongyue Temple
- Shaolin Temple
- Dengfeng Observatory