500-year-old magnolia blooms at Hangzhou Faxi Temple

Temple Features Shangtianzhu Faxi Temple, also known as Shangtianzhu Temple, is located at No. 338 Tianzhu Road, Xihu District, Hangzhou. It is the most famous of the three Tianzhu temples. It was built in the early years of Tianfu in the Later Jin Dynasty (936) and has a history of a thousand years. Every year in mid-to-late March, the 500-year-old magnolia in the temple enters its peak bloom period. The pure white magnolia flowers and the quaint temple buildings complement each other beautifully, like a natural Chinese painting. In addition to the ancient magnolia, Faxi Temple also attracts many tourists with its unique Buddhist culture and peaceful atmosphere. There are many Buddha statues enshrined in the temple. The architectural style is simple and elegant, with red pillars, black tiles, flying eaves and pointed corners, and every detail reveals a strong sense of history. Recommended routes After entering Faxi Temple, you can follow the route of Mountain Gate - Heavenly King Hall - Yuantong Hall - Main Hall - Dharma Hall - Pilu Hall for sightseeing. During your visit, don't miss the following attractions: • Ancient Magnolia: Located in the courtyard of Wuguan Hall, it is the "treasure of the temple" of Faxi Temple. It blooms in mid-to-late March every year and the flowering period is only 7-10 days. • Amulet shop: There are amulet shops inside the temple and at the entrance, where you can buy blessed amulets with many options such as marriage, career, health, peace, and birth year. • The dining hall: Located inside the temple, it offers affordable vegetarian food. Lunch costs only 5 yuan, and you can enjoy a quiet vegetarian meal here. Useful Information • Ticket price: 10 yuan, three incense sticks will be given upon entry. • Opening hours: 6:30-18:00. • Transportation: Take bus No. 103, 324, etc. to Shangtianzhu Station and walk about 5 minutes to arrive. It is recommended not to drive there by yourself, because the scenic area has a huge flow of tourists on weekends and holidays, and parking is inconvenient. • Dining: The temple’s dining hall offers vegetarian meals at affordable prices in a quiet environment. There are also some snack stalls at the entrance of the scenic area, but the prices are relatively high. • Accommodation: If you live near the West Lake Scenic Area, there are many B&Bs and hotels to choose from. The environment is good, but the price is relatively expensive. Tips • Photo and check-in: The popular check-in spot behind the temple, the courtyard under the magnolia tree, and the quaint corridor are all great places for taking photos. You can wear Hanfu or cheongsam and take a set of time-traveling photos in ancient style. • Notes: • Before going to the temple to worship Buddha, it is best to bathe, change clothes, eat vegetarian food, and avoid wearing revealing clothes. • Do not step on the threshold of the temple. Women should step with the right foot and men with the left foot. • Be calm and honest when making a wish. • Don’t take photos of Buddha statues. • Guardian period of the amulet: The guard period of the Hokki-ji amulet is one year. After one year, it can be burned or returned to the temple.