An ancient Sui Dynasty temple, serene with Zen spirit, a spiritual cleansing journey

【Preface】 If you are looking for a place free from excessive commercialization, filled only with millennia-old charm and simple Zen spirit, then Guoqing Temple on Tiantai Mountain is definitely a must-visit on your list. It is not only the birthplace of the Tiantai school of Buddhism but also a "living" ancient temple where monks still cultivate and study. Most importantly, it is open to the public for free! This sincerity alone is enough to move everyone. 【Trip Highlights · Reasons to Visit】 1. Millennium Sui heritage, profound cultural foundation: Founded in the Sui Dynasty (598 AD), it has a history of over 1,400 years and is known as one of the "Four Wonders of the World" alongside Lingyan Temple in Jinan, Qixia Temple in Nanjing, and Yuquan Temple in Dangyang. Every brick and tile is history. 2. A truly tranquil place: Unlike some crowded and commercialized temples, Guoqing Temple has flourishing incense offerings yet remains exceptionally quiet, allowing you to genuinely calm your mind and feel the solemnity of Buddhism. 3. "Living" cultural relics: The temple houses precious ancient sites such as the Sui plum tree (planted by the great Sui monk Master Zhang An, still blooming today), the Sui pagoda (a thousand-year-old tower standing atop the mountain), and the stele with Wang Xizhi’s unique "goose" character. These are not enclosed exhibits but part of daily temple life. 4. Balanced farming and Zen, everyday Zen spirit: There are extensive farmlands outside the temple where monks cultivate themselves. In spring, it’s a brilliant sea of rapeseed flowers; in autumn, golden rice ears, perfectly embodying the Zen spirit of "no work, no food." 【Practical Information · Preparation Before Visit】 · Admission: Free! Free! Free! Important things said three times. · Opening hours: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM (may vary slightly by season, official confirmation recommended before travel) · Suggested visit duration: 2-4 hours. If time allows, combine with other Tiantai Mountain attractions (such as Shiliang Waterfall, Chicheng Mountain) for a full day. · Best seasons to visit: · Spring (March-April): Rapeseed flowers bloom outside the temple, creating a charming contrast with the ancient temple. · Summer (June-July): Shaded green trees and babbling streams offer refreshing coolness. · Winter (January-February): If you’re lucky to see snow, the Sui Dynasty temple covered in white is stunningly beautiful. During the Spring Festival, the Sui plum blossoms, filling the air with a subtle fragrance. 【Transportation Guide · How to Get There】 · High-speed train / bullet train: · Take the train to "Tiantai Mountain Station," the most convenient way. · From the station, take bus routes 5, 7, or 9 directly to "Guoqing Scenic Area" stop, about 20-30 minutes. · Alternatively, take a taxi for about 20-30 RMB, around 15 minutes. · Self-driving: · Navigate to "Tiantai Mountain Guoqing Scenic Area," which has a large parking lot at the entrance. · Note: There is about a 1.5 km rural path from the parking lot to the temple entrance. You can take the scenic shuttle bus (about 2 RMB per person), but walking is highly recommended as the scenery along the way is excellent and part of the experience. 【Recommended Tour Route · No Backtracking】 It is recommended to follow the traditional temple pilgrimage route to experience the grandeur and order of the central axis architecture. 1. Shanmen "Guoqing Lecture Temple": Low-key and rustic, with the inscription "Ancient Sui Dynasty Temple," instantly transporting you back a thousand years. 2. Yuhua Hall: The first main hall of the temple, enshrining the mighty Four Heavenly Kings. 3. Mahavira Hall: The core building of the temple, magnificent in scale. Inside are exquisite Ming Dynasty bronze statues of Shakyamuni Buddha and the Eighteen Arhats, solemn and magnificent. 4. Plum Pavilion and Sui Plum: To the right of the Mahavira Hall, be sure to see the over 1,400-year-old Sui plum tree and feel the resilience of life and the passage of time. 5. Dharma Items Distribution: On the way to the Guanyin Hall, you can purchase incense, prayer beads, and other Dharma items at very reasonable prices. 6. Guanyin Hall & Three Saints Hall: Continue upward to a quieter environment. 7. Yule Kingdom: A unique garden inside the temple inspired by Zhuangzi’s "You are not a fish, how do you know the fish’s happiness," perfect for a rest. 8. Sui Pagoda: After leaving the temple, don’t forget to admire or walk to the foot of the Sui Pagoda. Although climbing is not allowed, looking up at this weathered ochre ancient tower inspires awe. 【Warm Tips · Travel Advice】 1. Dress code: The temple is a place of quiet cultivation; please dress modestly and avoid overly revealing clothing. 2. Etiquette: Please do not speak loudly inside the halls or take photos of Buddha statues. It’s good to prepare some small change for voluntary offerings. 3. Mosquito protection: The mountainous area has abundant vegetation; take mosquito precautions in summer. 4. Combine sightseeing: The Tiantai Mountain scenic area where Guoqing Temple is located is vast. If time permits, it is highly recommended to include "Shiliang Waterfall" (a natural mountain-water gallery) and "Qiongtai Fairy Valley" (a Taoist sacred site) in your itinerary. Buying a combined ticket is more cost-effective. 【Conclusion】 The beauty of Guoqing Temple lies not in its splendor but in its simplicity, tranquility, and authenticity. Spend a morning here walking slowly, watching monks carry water and sweep the ground, listening to the wind ringing the pagoda bells, and smelling the subtle fragrance of the Sui plum. All restlessness will settle in this moment. This is not just a trip but a dialogue with history and the soul. I hope this note helps you, and wish you a wonderful journey on Tiantai Mountain!