[2025 Xiangyang Attraction] Travel Guide for Guangde Temple (Updated Jun)

During the Dragon Boat Festival, Xiangyang Guangde Temple offers a rare retreat of serenity. Located 13 kilometers west of Xiangyang City in Hubei Province, adjacent to the historic Longzhong, the temple was established during the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty and is renowned as one of the prominent Buddhist monasteries in Hubei's history. Inside the temple, towering ancient trees provide shade, while outside, clear waters encircle the grounds. The ancient ginkgo tree, bestowed the title "Protector of the Dharma" by Emperor Kangxi of the Qing Dynasty, stands as a testament to the passage of time with its lush branches and leaves. The Duobao Pagoda is another treasure of the temple, built between the seventh and ninth years of the Ming Hongzhi era. This Sino-Indian style ancient pagoda features 45 stone-carved seated Buddhas embedded throughout its interior and exterior, leaving visitors in awe. On May 31, 2025, the temple held a scripture chanting ceremony for the Dragon Boat Festival, attracting numerous devout followers who joined in to share the blessings of Buddha and experience the joy of Dharma. If you missed this event, you can still visit the temple at other times to immerse yourself in its tranquility and harmony. Here, you can escape the hustle and bustle of the city and find inner peace. Strolling along the cobblestone paths, you can feel the solemnity and majesty of the ancient temple, listen to the monks chanting scriptures, and let your worries fade away.

Guangde Temple, formerly known as Yunju Zen Temple, was first built during the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty and has a history of more than 1,300 years. The temple is located 13 kilometers west of Xiangyang City, adjacent to the ancient Longzhong of the Three Kingdoms period. It is a famous ten-direction monastery in the history of Buddhism in Hubei Province. Only the Heavenly King Hall, Sutra Library, Abbot's Room and Duobao Pagoda remain. The imperial plaque on the mountain gate (Figure 1) Emperor Chenghua of the Ming Dynasty, Zhu Jianshen, granted the name "Guangde Temple" by imperial decree. The stone plaque "Imperially Granted Guangde Temple" is still hanging on the gate of Guangde Temple. Imperial Edict Monument (Figure 8) The "Imperial Edict" was granted by Zhu Jianshen, the Chenghua Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. The decree was roughly as follows: The Prince of Xiangyang buried his concubine, Du, next to the Yunju Temple on Mount Longzhong, 30 miles west of Xiangyang City. This suppressed the temple's feng shui, so the abbot Daoyuan led the people to leave the temple, and the local gentry wrote to the court. In order to maintain the temple, Emperor Chenghua issued an imperial decree, ordering Prince Xiangyang to choose another good site and provide his own materials to rebuild the temple. He also issued an imperial decree to name the temple "Imperially Granted Guangde Temple" and ordered the Ministry of Rites to issue a document to announce that Daoyuan would be the abbot of Guangde Temple and lead the monks in the reconstruction to protect the country and the people and benefit the local people. General Tree (Figure 9) On the right side of the Duobao Pagoda, there is an ancient ginkgo tree that requires four people to hug together. It has a history of more than one thousand years. During the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, the tree came back to life three years after its death. In gratitude for the tree's kindness, Emperor Shizong of the Ming Dynasty and Emperor Kangzhao of the Qing Dynasty conferred the title of "General" and "Protector of the Dharma" on it respectively. This tree was favored and conferred titles in two dynasties, which is a great wonder in the history of ancient trees being conferred titles in the country. It is said that every spring and summer, a cluster of golden leaves will hang on the branches, symbolizing the "gold" medal bestowed by the emperor on its chest. This is also a wonderful sight of Guangde Temple. Duobao Pagoda (Figures 10-13) Also known as the "Five-Star Pagoda", it was built between the seventh and ninth years of the Hongzhi reign of the Ming Dynasty. It has a brick and stone imitation wood structure, a unique shape and style, and integrates Chinese and Indian Buddhist architectural styles. It is known as "the only one in China and the treasure among pagodas." The Duobao Pagoda is about 17 meters high and consists of two parts: the base and the peak. The tower base is 7 meters high and octagonal in shape, with a shallow eaves on top and a low foundation at the bottom, brick corner columns and stone dragon heads. There are niches on each wall, housing a stone statue of Buddha sitting on a lotus pedestal. There are four stone archways on each wall. Above the main door is a stone plaque with the words "Duobao Pagoda" inscribed horizontally, and three "Buddha" characters placed below, which is rigorous, thick, vigorous and powerful. There are five small pagodas on the top of the pagoda. The middle one is the Lama Pagoda, which is 10 meters high, with a Sumeru pedestal at the bottom and a lotus platform on top. The main tower is surrounded by four hexagonal five-story brick towers with Buddhist niches. There are 45 stone-carved seated Buddhas embedded inside and outside the tower, so it is called Duobao Pagoda. "Ride a horse to see the mountain gate, ring the bell to start the meal", the ancient temple bestowed by the emperor has now been renovated and welcomes wave after wave of pilgrims to come here to worship Buddha and meditate! I have an average feeling about Gu Longzhong, but I highly recommend Guande Temple. Not only can you see historical relics here, but you can also cultivate your character and calm your mind! [House]Address: No. 289, Longzhong Road, Xiangcheng District, Xiangyang City [Metro] Transportation: Take bus No. 543 and get off at Guangde Temple Station or take the Gulongzhong Scenic Area bus and get off at Guangde Temple Station [Compass] Time: 7:00-17:00 [Purse] Per capita: Free

Xiangyang 3 Days 2 Nights Pure Play Guide Holiday Citywalk 3-day 2-night citywalk scenic spot connection route, good food and shopping without detours, those who need it, hurry up and save it! 🔹Accommodation Recommendations: Fancheng District/Xiangcheng District Fancheng District·Xiangyang: Commercial center, bustling urban area, full coverage of daily shopping and eating, convenient transportation, not far from attractions Xiangcheng District·Xiangyang: Tourist center, the main attractions of Xiangyang are in this area, it belongs to the scenic area, accommodation may be more expensive Day 1 Morning: Yiqiao Head→Xiangyang Ancient City→Furen City→(Weidong Machinery Factory)→603 Cultural and Creative Park Afternoon: Xiangyang Museum→Xijia Pond→Fenglin Ancient Ferry Evening: Tangcheng Film and Television Base Scenic Spot Introduction: 🔻Xiangyang Ancient City: Built in the Western Han Dynasty, surrounded by water on three sides and backed by mountains on one side, easy to defend and difficult to attack, known as the "First City of China" 🔻Weidong Machinery Factory: You can check in at the "Friendship First, Competition Second" playground 🔻603 Cultural and Creative Park: It is also the filming location of the movie "Hi, Mom", a retro literary street in the 1980s, where you can have lunch 🔻Xijia Pond: It is the private pond of Xi Yu, the Marquis of Xiangyang in the early Eastern Han Dynasty 🔻China Tangcheng: Put on Hanfu and instantly travel to the prosperous Chang'an City surrounded by eight waters, and have an immersive Tang Palace time travel. Get the same scenes as "Legend of the Demon Cat" and "Dream of Splendor" - Day 2 Morning: Early morning experience→Guangde Temple (Hubei University of Arts and Sciences for food) Afternoon: Gulongzhong→Huangjiawan Evening: Zhaoming Platform→Beijie→Guanjia Alley→Xiaobeimen→Han River Scenic Spot Introduction: 🔻Gulongzhong: It is the place where Zhuge Liang lived in seclusion in his youth. It has a history of more than 1,700 years. The famous "Three Visits to the Thatched Cottage" and "Longzhong Plan" all happened here 🔻Huangjiawan: It is the birthplace of Zhuge Liang's wife, Huang Yueying 🔻Beijie: It connects the ancient city wall in the north and Zhaoming Platform in the south. You can stroll and eat along the way to Guanjia Alley, which is a side street of Beijie. The Xiangyang Museum is on top of Zhaoming Platform. Going out from Xiaobeimen, you can see the night view of Han River, checking in 5 major scenic spots at once - Day 3 Xiangyang Overseas Chinese Town Fantasy Valley or Baizhuyuan Temple National Forest Park Although these two places are far away, they are enough to play for a whole day~ Overseas Chinese Town is known as the "Disney of Hubei". Baizhuyuan Temple belongs to the natural scenery with excellent oxygen content~