Lingyin Temple

As one of the most significant and beautiful Buddhist monasteries in China, Lingyin Temple, literally meaning Temple of the Soul's Retreat, features numerous grottos and religious rock carvings, the best known of which is the Feilai Feng.

The Temple contains an important collection of Buddhist literature together with many other treasures. As a consequence, it is a great storehouse of information for those who wish to study aspects of Chinese Buddhism in detail. The palaces, pavilions, and halls together with their many figures of Buddhist deities represent a splendid and unique collection of architectural and artistic cultural relics. The various buildings and pagodas date from the Southern Song, Ming, and Tang Dynasties. Among the ancient writings are scriptures written on pattra leaves, the Diamond Sutra copied by Dong Qichang in the Ming Dynasty, and a wood cut edition published during the Qing Dynasty.