[2025 Suzhou Attraction] Travel Guide for Mingyue Temple (Updated Apr)

Mudan Ancient Town, Suzhou: A Tranquil Time Hidden in a Thousand-Year-Old Temple In the long history of Suzhou, there is a Mudan Ancient Town, which is like a pearl in the south of the Yangtze River, exuding a unique charm. And in this ancient town, there is a Mingyue Ancient Temple, open to the public for free, like a hermit, silently telling the stories of thousands of years. When we talk about the profoundness of history, Mingyue Ancient Temple is definitely a topic that cannot be avoided. It was first built in the second year of Qingtai in the Later Tang Dynasty, which is 935 AD, by the wise monk Mingzhi. Just imagine, it was a distant era more than a thousand years ago. In those turbulent and legendary years, the birth of Mingyue Ancient Temple was like a beacon, illuminating the hearts of people in the world. More than a thousand years is enough to turn the sea into fertile fields, but this ancient temple has stubbornly survived, witnessing the changes of countless dynasties, experiencing the baptism of wind and rain, and still standing tall. This is a miracle in itself. Walking into Mingyue Ancient Temple is like stepping into a time tunnel, separating us from the hustle and bustle of modern times. The architectural style of the temple is simple and elegant, and every brick, tile, beam, and column seems to be whispering stories of the past. However, you may not expect that this ancient temple underwent a major restoration in 1993. At that time, in order to reproduce the former glory of the ancient temple, the craftsmen spent a lot of effort. The most amazing thing is that the whole hall was actually sculpted on-site from purple clay. Purple clay, a unique material famous in Yixing, has been given new life by the craftsmen, blooming with a unique artistic light in Mingyue Ancient Temple. When you stand in front of these exquisite sculptures, you can't help but be impressed by the exquisite skills of the craftsmen. They perfectly blend history and art with their hands, giving this ancient temple new vitality and reopening it to the public. For us tourists, Mingyue Ancient Temple is not only a historical site, but also a haven for the soul. Here, you can temporarily put down the fatigue and worries of life, calm down and feel the peace and tranquility. In the early morning, when the first ray of sunlight shines on the eaves of the ancient temple, the entire temple is plated with a layer of golden light. Between the interplay of light and shadow, it seems that you can see the scene of monks practicing morning bells and evening drums thousands of years ago. Walking into the Mahavira Hall, the smoke is lingering, and the Buddha statues are solemn. At that moment, the impetuousness in your heart is instantly calmed down, and you will unconsciously immerse yourself in this strong Buddhist atmosphere, thinking about the true meaning of life. In the courtyard of the ancient temple, there are several ancient ginkgo trees. Every autumn, golden ginkgo leaves fall one after another, like a golden rain, covering the ancient temple with a thick carpet. Walking among them, the rustling sound from under your feet is like the ancient temple whispering to you. At this time, you can pick up your camera and record this picturesque scenery, or simply find a corner to sit down, close your eyes, listen to the sound of the wind and the leaves, and feel the harmonious coexistence of nature and the ancient temple. Mingyue Ancient Temple does not have the crowds of popular attractions, but it has its own unique charm. It is open to the public for free, as if it is sending a sincere invitation to everyone who desires to explore history and find spiritual comfort. Whether you are a history and culture lover or a city dweller who wants to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, it is worth a visit. Come to Mingyue Ancient Temple, and encounter a tranquil time in this thousand-year-old temple, and meet a better self.

#favouriteitinerary Located to the east of Yan Family Garden, Mingyue Temple is a place dedicated to exhibiting the traditional skills of women from water towns. This temple offers visitors a unique insight into the crafts and techniques passed down through generations, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the region. Personal Opinion: In my opinion, Mingyue Temple is a fascinating destination for those interested in traditional crafts and cultural heritage. The emphasis on showcasing the skills of water town women adds a unique and educational dimension to the visit, making it a must-see for anyone exploring the area.

Mingyue Ancient Temple: First built in the second year of Qingtai in the Later Tang Dynasty (935), and rebuilt in the sixteenth year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty. In the mountain gate and the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Buddha sits in the middle, and the Four Heavenly Kings all have frowning eyes and look mighty and fierce. The main hall of the Mahavira Hall has five rooms and a two-story with upturned eaves. The Tathagata Buddha, Amitabha Buddha and Medicine Buddha are enshrined in the hall. It is a standard main hall of the Zen Buddhism.

**Mingyue Ancient Temple Travel Guide** I. Introduction Mingyue Ancient Temple is located in XX Province, China. With a long history and a solemn atmosphere, it is a famous Buddhist site in the area. The temple not only has a rich cultural heritage, but also preserves many precious cultural relics and historical sites. II. Attractions 1. Mahavira Hall: This is the core building of Mingyue Ancient Temple, enshrining the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni. The architectural style of the hall is simple and elegant, showcasing the charm of ancient architecture. 2. Bell Tower and Drum Tower: The Bell Tower and Drum Tower are hung with ancient bells and drums, and visitors can listen to the sound of bells and drums at specific times, feeling the tranquility and peace. 3. Thousand Buddha Hall and Medicine Buddha Hall: Two important Buddhist buildings, enshrining many Buddha statues and Medicine Buddha. The murals here are rich, reflecting the profound Buddhist cultural connotation. III. Food Recommendations There are local specialties to taste around Mingyue Ancient Temple: 1. Vegetarian Dishes: In the temple or nearby vegetarian restaurants, you can taste a variety of exquisite vegetarian dishes, such as vegetarian roast goose, vegetarian three delicacies, etc. 2. Traditional Snacks: Such as buns, fried dough sticks, tofu pudding, etc., are popular snacks among locals, with unique flavors. IV. Travel Tips 1. Best Travel Time: Spring and autumn are the best travel times, with pleasant weather suitable for sightseeing. 2. Transportation Guide: You can take a long-distance bus or train to the city, and then take a taxi or bus to Mingyue Ancient Temple. 3. Precautions: Follow relevant regulations when entering the temple. If you need to take photos, please respect the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of the temple. Also, keep the environment clean and do not litter. V. Conclusion Mingyue Ancient Temple is a cultural and historical attraction, with ancient buildings and exquisite murals, as well as delicious local food waiting for visitors to taste. Here, visitors can feel the tranquil and peaceful atmosphere and experience the charm of Buddhist culture. We hope this guide will help you better explore Mingyue Ancient Temple.

This temple is not in the urban area of ​​Suzhou Usually there are fewer people. Take Metro Line 5 to Lingyanshan Subway Station A1 Northeast Exit It takes about 10 minutes to walk into the town. The temple is not very big, you can see it inside the main hall There should be clay sculptures inside, and it looks like it has just been made. Each Arhat is lifelike, with various characters There are also Jigong in it, and there are all kinds of postures here The lobby is also relatively quiet. The first hall is home to the Four Heavenly Kings. Looks a bit domineering, I don't dare to take pictures. The temple entrance fee is free. If you stay in Suzhou for a long time, You can come and have a look.

In China, besides Xixian County in Linfen, Shanxi, there are similar scenic spots in other provinces and regions. In Suzhou, there is such a place that 99% of locals don't know about! There are no tourists! Curious friends may ask, where is Suzhou's Xiaoxitian? What secrets does it hold? With these questions in mind, let's talk about Mingyue Temple. Mingyue Temple was built in the second year of the Later Tang Dynasty (935 AD) by Monk Mingzhi. It was merged with Puxian Temple in the early Ming Dynasty. In 1890, Monk Daogen rebuilt it. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and restored in 1993. There used to be a large pear forest near Mingyue Temple. Every early spring, the pear blossoms became a beautiful sight in the ancient town. Li Guo of the Qing Dynasty wrote a poem about it, which became popular. The architecture of Mingyue Temple is unique, with the layout of the Mahavira Hall and Sutra Library similar to Lingyan Mountain Temple nearby.

❤Recommended reason: Shanxi is too far away, it turns out that Suzhou also has the Black Myth: Wukong's Ten Thousand Buddha Secret Realm, and it also has its own Buddha surrounded 📍Detailed address: No. 4 Mingyue Temple Lane, Mudu Town, Wuzhong District, Suzhou City Opening hours: 8:00-16:30 (winter) 8:00-17:00 (summer) Ticket🎫: Free🆓 🌟Attraction introduction Mingyue Ancient Temple was built in the second year of Tang Qingtai, created by Monk Mingzhi, and has a history of more than a thousand years. In the process of historical development, it has undergone many repairs and destructions. In the early years of the Ming Dynasty, it was incorporated into the Pu Xian Temple. In the 16th year of the Qing Dynasty, the monk Dao Gen was rebuilt. There used to be a large pear forest near the ancient temple. Every early spring, "thousands of trees and tens of thousands of pear blossoms" became a scene in the ancient town. Qing Li Guo has the sentence "Pear Blossom Mingyue Temple, Fragrant Grass Mu Niu An", which was circulated for a while. Kangxi's imperial pen respects the Buddha stele on the east side of the hall The west side of Qianlong's imperial pen Heart Sutra stele There are 88 Buddha bluestone reliefs on the east side of the hall The combination and group layout are well thought out The Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined in the Daxiong Hall East enshrines the venerable Kasyapa, and the west enshrines the venerable Ananda Five hundred Arhats are enshrined on both sides of the east and west Different shapes, lifelike 👍Most recommended: This low-key and introverted thousand-year-old temple Every brick and tile is full of poetry Every flower and leaf is stained with Zen

There is such a Mingyue Ancient Temple on Mudu Shantang Street Although it is still under renovation, it has been hard controlled by the Buddha statue in the room!! Buddha has no form, and the golden body has not been cast yet Mingyue Ancient Temple was built in the second year of Tang Qingtai The entrance is the earliest Shantang Street, and the temple is now 🆓 open Entering the main hall is very similar to the black myth of Pingti Little Western Paradise, the temple is very similar

Mingyue Temple is located in the middle section of Shantang Street in Mudu, adjacent to the east of Yanjia Garden. It was built in the second year of the Later Tang Dynasty's Qingtai period (935 AD) by the monk Mingzhi. In the early Ming Dynasty's Hongwu period, it was merged into Puxian Temple. In the twelfth year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1886), the monk Daogen renovated it. Currently, the Buddha statues inside Mingyue Temple are under maintenance. The Shanmen Hall has three bays, and the four characters "Mingyue Ancient Temple" were handwritten by Elder Guanche. The architecture of Mingyue Temple is quite distinctive. The layout and structure of the Tianwang Hall, the Mahavira Hall, and the Sutra Library are similar to those of the nearby Lingyan Mountain Temple. The Mahavira Hall has five bays and two floors. In the center of the hall is the statue of Buddha Shakyamuni, flanked by Amitabha and Medicine Buddha, collectively known as the "Three Buddhas of the Three Ages." Behind the main Buddha is the statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva, standing on a lotus flower and holding a willow branch in a pure bottle. On both sides of the hall are the Eighteen Arhats. Behind the Mahavira Hall are the Sutra Library and the Chanting Hall.