Kaihua Temple Hiking||Exploring the First Temple of Southern Buddhism in China

||Exploring the First Temple of Southern Buddhism in China. Dayi Wuzhong Mountain, named for being covered by clouds and mist all year round, hides the Kaihua Temple deep within. Founded in the 16th year of Yongping during the Eastern Han Dynasty (73 AD), it is only six years younger than China's first Buddhist temple, the White Horse Temple in Luoyang, and is truly the first temple of Southern Buddhism!!! Unfortunately, it was destroyed during the chaos caused by Zhang Xianzhong at the end of the Ming Dynasty, and further damaged over time. Now, only the stone screen, stele, and beasts in front of the main hall remain as a glimpse of the ancient site. In front of the main hall stand three stone steles, among which the most famous is titled 'Kaihua Temple Inscription,' written by the Tang Dynasty poet Du Fu. It not only records the architectural style and Buddha statues of the temple at that time but also describes the commerce and cultural-religious exchanges on the Southern Silk Road, making it extremely precious. Sadly, the back has been worn down to serve as steps for a farmhouse. The other two ancient steles have inscriptions that are eroded and difficult to discern, and experts speculate that they are from before the Ming Dynasty. The Kaihua Temple we see today is a modern temple built on the original ruins, with temple halls constructed in recent years using cement in imitation of the Tang style. ❄️In winter, this place becomes a popular spot for snow hiking and checking in among the locals around Chengdu. The overall difficulty is not high, and the route is beautiful with white rime and thick snow. For navigation, search directly for Dayi Kaihua Temple. 🚗The overall road condition is good, but upon entering Wuzhong Mountain, the roads become rugged, narrow, and difficult for vehicles to pass each other. 🅿️The temple is currently under renovation, and there is a farmhouse nearby where you can park. Starting from Kaihua Temple, follow the road to the end, turn right onto a small path up the mountain 30min-Mingyue Temple-90min-Mitu Temple-10min-Yinghua Summit (also called Guangming Summit), and descend for 90min (return the same way). The overall difficulty of the hike is not high, with the path mainly consisting of stone steps and only a small section of dirt road in the middle, but it is still recommended to bring ice grips.