[2025 Wuwei Attraction] Travel Guide for Haicang Temple (Updated Mar)

Want to escape from the hustle and bustle of the city and go on a spontaneous trip? no problem! Starting from the city of Wuwei, you can easily reach Haizang Temple whether by taxi or by car. If you are a freedom-loving friend, the bus is also a good choice. It can take you to this hidden spot in just a few stops. Remember to check the route in advance, and don’t let getting lost become a "little episode" in your travel. 👍️Must-see attractions: As soon as you step into the gate of Haizang Temple, it feels like you have traveled through a time tunnel and arrived in a completely different world. The tranquility here is the kind of magic that can make people relax instantly. First of all, of course, what you cannot miss is the magnificent four-pillar, three-room, three-story hip-and-gable wooden archway. It is not only the landmark building of Haizang Temple, but also a treasure of ancient Chinese architectural art. Walking into the temple, the two main halls in the front and back are solemn and majestic, and the corner tower, Lingjun Terrace, Heavenly King Hall, Wuliang Hall and other buildings are arranged in an orderly manner. Every brick and tile reveals a heavy sense of history. The pine and cypress trees in the temple are even more breathtaking. These ancient trees are towering, as if telling a thousand-year-old story. Outside the temple, there is a wetland park. The colorful plants and the quaint temple complement each other, forming a beautiful picture. Here, you can slow down and quietly feel the charm of nature. 🎟️Ticket related: You may not believe it, but such a beautiful place is free! That’s right, the tickets to Haizang Temple are free, which is undoubtedly a great benefit for those who like to travel on a budget. However, although the entrance fee is free, you still have to remember to respect the temple's rules and regulations and not destroy the environment at will. 💗Other tips: Best time to visit: Although Haizang Temple is as beautiful as a painting all year round, I personally recommend visiting in spring and autumn. In spring, everything comes back to life, and the temple is full of vitality inside and outside; in autumn, it is golden, with a unique flavor. Of course, if you like the quietness of winter and the coolness of summer, you can come anytime. Dress code: After all, it is a temple, so it is recommended that you dress a little more formally and not too revealing or too casual. This is not only a respect for the temple, but also a respect for yourself. Take photos: In such a beautiful place, of course you have to take more photos! However, remember not to disturb other tourists and monks when taking photos. Also, some areas within the temple may be prohibited from taking photos, so everyone must abide by the regulations. Snacks: Although there are some snacks and souvenirs for sale in the temple, the prices may be a little expensive. So, if you want to eat more economically, you can prepare some snacks and water in advance. In this fast-paced era, it is not easy to find such a quiet place. Haizang Temple, a hidden gem located in Wuwei, Gansu, provides us with an opportunity to escape from the hustle and bustle and relax with its unique charm and environment. So, if you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, you might as well come to Haizang Temple for a walk and a look. I believe it will definitely give you a different feeling.

I first visited Wuwei in September 2020, when the area around Haizang Temple was still desolate. Now, Haizang Park has been built, and the previous reed marsh has become a wetland park, with even pheasants shuttling through the forest (Figure 17). At that time, I asked the monks in the temple whether it was called Haicang Temple or Haizang Temple. He said that the surrounding wetland was full of reeds, as if there was a temple hidden in the sea. But now the pinyin on the road signs is zang (Figure 18), probably because Gucangzang Road is next to it. I visited again in September 2023 and October 2024. In 1981, Haizang Temple was announced as the fourth batch of provincial cultural relics protection units in Gansu Province, and in 2013, it was announced by the State Council as the seventh batch of national key cultural relics protection units. Now there is a national protection monument under the stone lion outside the temple, and there are two new and old provincial protection monuments after entering the door. Its founding date is uncertain, one said it was during the Yuanfeng period of Song Shenzong (1078-1086). It is also said that during the Liangzhou League of the Southern Song Dynasty, four major temples were built one after another, and Haizang Temple was one of them. During the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty (1465-1487), the eunuch Zhang Rui rebuilt it on the original site, and the Emperor Xianzong gave the temple the name "Qinghua Zen Temple". It was rebuilt during the Shunzhi period of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1661), and after several destructions and repairs, the existing buildings were built in the 1980s and 1990s, and it is one of the eight ancient Liangzhou sceneries. The highest point in the temple is the Lingjun Ancient Tower, which was built in the fourth year of Daxing (321). It is a high-rise building built by the Zhang regime of the Former Liang (301-376) who built the capital in Guzang (now Wuwei) during the Sixteen Kingdoms period. This famous high-rise building in the northwest is recorded in the history books because of its grand scale and the political and military defense measures during the Former Liang period, and it has been praised by later literati. There are also ancient sites such as the Taoist Mansion and the God of Wealth Temple in the park. The overall greening is very good, and there are not many tourists. You can travel through it to reminisce about the past and chant today.

Wuwei Haizang Temple One of the most beautiful temples I've ever visited Founded in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it has been over 1700 years The ancient architecture of the temple is very well preserved It is also known as the 'Crown of the Northwest Brahman Palace' Mottled red walls, faded paintings, exquisite wood carvings The deeper you go, the more quiet and ancient it becomes Really, a casual shot is very photogenic

Hai Cang Temple, named because the temple is built on the small island Ling Jun Tai in the water, surrounded by dense forests and springs, like a temple hidden in the sea. The temple was first built in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, and it has a history of more than 1700 years. It has been renovated and expanded in every dynasty, with high monks preaching and teaching, and the ancient temple still retains its spirituality. The Ming Dynasty wooden archway in front of the temple is simple and exquisite, and the four big characters 'Hai Cang Zen Forest' directly express the artistic conception. Entering the mountain gate, you are greeted by the double-eave Daxiong Hall, full of plaques; past the Dizang Hall, a few steps up is the ancient Ling Jun Tai; the Buddha statues under the platform are shining with gold, and the Wuliang Hall on the platform is simple and heavy, and you can view the scenery of Wuwei City from a high place. This is the earliest main building of Hai Cang Temple, and the temple houses many Buddhist scriptures such as 'Da Zheng Zang' and 'Qi Zang Jing', also known as the Sutra Tower. A stone tablet carved during the Qing Guangxu years, titled 'Jin Zhu Ling Jun Tai', was found under the platform. It reads 'The ancient platform was established by Zhang Mao, the King of Liang, during the Tai Ning period of Emperor Ming of the Eastern Jin Dynasty', and is now standing on the right side of the hall. On the left side is the Yao Quan Well, which is said to be very magical, but it is a pity that it has been protected and the truth is not seen. Outside the temple is Hai Cang Temple Park, with lake reflections, weeping willows, wild flowers in full bloom, suitable for leisurely strolling and dazing, it can be described as the best combination of cultural relics and natural scenery. 💰Ticket price: Free 🕙Opening hours: 08:00-18:00 🚗Travel strategy: Take bus No. 6 in Wuwei City and get off at Hai Cang Park East Station, cross the park to Hai Cang Temple. 📌Small Tips: The park is opposite the temple, and there are also the God of Wealth Temple, Daotai Hall, Yuan Kezi's old house and other ancient buildings, all free, can be visited together, it is worth arranging at least half a day's itinerary.