Wenshu Temple - the most complete Buddhist Temple in Chengdu
Last Update: 7th October 2020
What is the Wenshu Temple?
Situated in the Qingyang District, Chengdu, Wenshu Temple was declared as Buddhist National Key Temple in the area where Han people live in 1983. It was originally built between 605 and 617 and then was rebuilt in 1697. The temple offers more than 200 rooms up to date.
Wenshu Temple Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Wenshuyuan (文殊院)
- Area: over 20 hectares
- Things to do there: Architecture, Buddhist, Photography
- Who visits: Photographers, Architects, Buddhist Believers
- Time required:2 – 3 x hours
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Wenshu Temple, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.
What to expect at the Wenshu Temple
Typical of the ancient style in western Sichuan Plain, Wenshu Temple was completely built in wood, with more than 200 rooms with a total area of 1.16 hectares. Visitors can view 10 iron statues of God Guardian and 2 fir trees with a history of more than 1,000 years.
Most of the buildings in the temple are in the Qing Dynasty style, including the 10.56-meters-high Daxiong Hall where the statues of Shakyamuni Buddha, Kashyapa and Ananda are worshiped, Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Three Great Beings where Manjusri, and Samantabhadra, Avalokitesvara are worshiped, the Dhammasala and the Depositary of Buddhist Texts where the calligraphy and paintings by He Shaoji, Zheng Banqiao, and Zhang Daqian plus Indian Palm-leaf Manuscripts and other Buddhist inscriptions are well-preserved.
There are more than 300 Buddha statues in the temple. Some are iron. Some are wood carvings. Some are stone statues and some are clay sculptures. Visitors can also see the relics of Buddha and Master Xuanzang in the temple and visit the Free Life Pond, Jade Buddha Hall, Five Views Hall, Yuantong Hall and Ancestral Hall.
The best months to visit is from March to May and from September to November as these months are not so cold or so hot.
Wenshu Temple is situated in downtown Chengdu. Therefore, there are a few options.
- Rent a vehicle to the temple. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Bus 16, Bus 55 and Bus 64 to the Stop of Wanfu Bridge(万福桥站). Then, walk to the temple.
- Take Metro Line 1 to the Stop of Wenshu Temple (文殊院站). Then, walk to the temple.
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 17:00
- Admission fee: free
- Please do not talk loudly in the temple.
- Please do not wear shorts, short skirt or minidress in the temple.
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including the Wenshu Temple, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.