Explore Pengzhou, Sichuan | Sanmai Zen Forest | A treasure trove of Buddhist art where you can enjoy vegetarian meals and admire the statues of the Five Hundred Arhats.

❤ Sanmai Zen Forest was built in 872 AD, making it over a thousand years old. It is divided into three temples, the upper, middle, and lower temples, which correspond to Shuiting Temple, Zhide Temple, and Anguo Temple, respectively. Sanmai Zen Forest is named after Sanmai Water. According to legend, during the reign of Emperor Xizong of Tang, a national teacher named Wuda developed a facial sore on his knee that no doctor could cure. Only after using the Sanmai well water did his sore gradually heal. He later built a temple here, which became the Sanmai Zen Forest we know today.❤ 📍Detailed address: Shuangsong Village, Danjingshan Town, Pengzhou City 🚉 Transportation guide: ✅ Self-driving recommended: Navigate directly to Sanmai Zen Forest from Chengdu. Parking is available for a fee of CNY5. 🌟 Sanmai Zen Forest is free to enter. You can drink tea, eat vegetarian meals, and stay overnight. 💰 Tea: CNY5-10 💰 Vegetarian meals: There are vegetarian halls in the upper and lower Sanmai, starting at 11:00 am. CNY10/person 💰 Temple accommodation: CNY70/night including three meals ✅ The walls and ceiling of the Jieyuan Cave are lined with rows of Arhat statues, totaling 500! Their clothing, movements, and facial expressions are all different, representing the various aspects of human life. The sight of so many Arhat statues is overwhelming, making one feel as if they have entered a celestial realm. ✅ The previous life of the national teacher Wuda was Yuan Ang, and the previous life of the facial sore was Chao Cuo. Chao Cuo was executed by waist-chopping and sought revenge for ten lifetimes. As long as Wuda used the Sanmai well water to wash the facial sore, the resentment could be resolved. Sanmai water calms the mind and eliminates distractions. When Wuda used the well water to wash the facial sore, he felt excruciating pain, died, and was resurrected. Finally, the sore was completely healed. The story vividly demonstrates the Buddhist theory of karma and reincarnation, while also reminding people to be mindful of their words and actions in order to live a peaceful life. ✅ One mountain, three temples. When you reach the upper Sanmai by following the forest steps, you will find a mountain on one side and a cliff on the other. The temple built against the mountain, though not majestic, has its own charm. As you walk past, you will be greeted by a panoramic view of Pengzhou City.