[2025 Huangmei Attraction] Travel Guide for The Wuzu Temple (Updated Apr)

Wuzu Temple, located in Wuzu Town, Huangmei County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province, is the dojo of the fifth patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism, Master Hongren. It is also where the sixth patriarch, Huineng, received the Dharma and the robe. Historically, it was bestowed the title of 'The Ancestral Temple of the World.' The temple was first built in the fifth year of the Yonghui era of the Tang Dynasty (654 AD) and has undergone renovations and expansions during the Tang, Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, becoming an important holy site for Zen Buddhism. **Attractions:** The architectural complex of Wuzu Temple is built according to the mountain's terrain and is divided into three parts: upper, middle, and lower sections. The overall layout follows the style of ancient palaces, with a clear hierarchy along the central axis. The main buildings include the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Vairocana Hall, and the True Body Hall. The temple also houses many precious cultural relics and historical sites, such as the Shakyamuni Pagoda, the Holy Mother Hall, and the Wuzu Great Pagoda. **Address:** West side of 059 County Road, Wuzu Town, Huangmei County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province. **Transportation Guide:** - Self-driving: Navigate to Wuzu Temple, Huangmei County, Hubei Province. - High-speed rail: After arriving at Huangmei East Station, take a taxi to Wuzu Temple (about 35 minutes, costing around 50 yuan). - Bus: Take a bus from Wuhan Yangchunhu Long-distance Bus Station, Wuhan Fujiapo Long-distance Bus Station, Hankou Jinjiadun Bus Station, or Jiujiang Bus Station in Jiangxi to Huangmei Bus Station, then take a taxi to Wuzu Temple (about 30 minutes, costing around 50 yuan). **Must-visit Attractions:** - True Body Hall: The hall enshrining the seated statue of the true body relic of the fifth patriarch, Hongren. - Vairocana Hall: Also known as Macheng Hall, it houses the statue of Vairocana Buddha. - Lecture Platform: It is said that the fifth patriarch, Hongren, and successive abbots preached here. - White Lotus Pond: Built by the fifth patriarch, Hongren, the pond is filled with thriving white lotuses. **Ticket Information:** Wuzu Temple does not sell tickets and is open to the public for free. **Opening Hours:** Open all year round, 24 hours a day. **Nearby Attractions:** - Sizu Temple: Located in Sizu Town, Huangmei County, it is the dojo of the fourth patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism, Master Daoxin. - Nuobu Garden: Located in Huangmei County, it is a park that integrates natural and cultural landscapes. Wuzu Temple is not only a pilgrimage site for Buddhist believers but also an important place for visitors to learn about Chinese Buddhist culture and Zen history. The temple's serene environment makes it an ideal place for self-cultivation and experiencing a Zen lifestyle.

The first time you come to Hubei, it's easy to overlook the hidden gem - Huangmei, the birthplace of Huangmei Opera. Many people come to the ancient and Zen-like town of Wenmei Village in Huangmei for a weekend getaway. There are no skyscrapers here, the flavor is very bland, but there is a scenic view at every step. The architecture here is great for photography, with its antique charm, perfect for wearing new Chinese-style or Hanfu. Several beautiful spots use Sanhua Pavilion as the background. In the evening, the lakeside is shrouded in mist, creating a strong atmosphere. Fairies dance gracefully on the evening boat on the lake, surrounded by lights, giving a feeling of Chang'an City. There are many performances at night, including national style parties, national style dances, COSPLAY shows, and Huangmei Opera performances, along with brilliant fireworks. The entire parking... there are... shuttle buses inside. Arrive in the afternoon, take a nap to avoid the sun, then come out for photos, have dinner, and enjoy the performances. The next day we went to Wuzu Temple, just a ten-minute drive away. Besides the 'Guan' character building, the Wuzu Temple next to it is actually very large and easy to overlook. Transportation: It's a two and a half hour drive from Wuhan, two hours by high-speed train from Wuhan to Huangmei, and a twenty-minute taxi ride from Huangmei East Station to Wenmei Village. If you are a photography enthusiast like me, you will easily fall in love with this place, with countless hidden spots to capture. If you want to bring your family for a summer vacation, you will easily love the relaxed ancient and Zen-like atmosphere of this place. Wenmei Mountain Villa, courtyard inns, and rice field parent-child parks offer an all-in-one experience, making it very convenient for a vacation here.

👉 Compared to popular destinations, Afeng prefers distinctive and less-known places. Huangmei is not only the birthplace of Huangmei Opera but also the cradle of Chan Buddhism in Buddhism. Nestled among green mountains and waters are ancient temples and famous monasteries🛕 Even if you are not a Buddhist, you will be amazed by the ancient temples scattered around‼️ - Here, everyone, young and old, is a fan of the opera🎭 Country girls create intangible cultural heritage techniques to continue the charm of Wu and Chu🪡 The ancient temple Laozu Temple interprets the true essence of contemporary Chan life🧘 The timeless quote 'Bodhi has no tree...' attracts countless literati and writers. This place has a profound cultural heritage, touching prices, and a relaxed and natural lifestyle that attracts numerous young people from big companies...😭 - 📍Address: Huangmei County, Huanggang City, Hubei Province - 🚘About transportation 🚄High-speed rail: Direct to Huangmei County East Station 🚌Bus: Huangmei Bus Station 🚗Fare: Huangmei East-Laozu Temple: 100 yuan/car Laozu Temple-Wuzu Temple: 100 yuan/car Wuzu Temple-Wenmei Village: 🉑️Drip Wenmei Village-Huangmei East: Tourist line 18:30 (latest - 🌍About the route Day1: Laozu Temple-Wuzu Temple-Dongshan Wenmei Village Day2: Huangmei urban area Gaota Temple-Sizu Temple - ✅✅✅【About the features of the trip】 2024 is especially suitable for experiencing a relaxed and natural life 1⃣️｜Laozu Temple Originated during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it was founded by the Indian monk Qiansui Baozhangxiang. The environment here is quiet, with ancient trees reaching the sky, and everyone who has the fortune to come here marvels at the lake and clouds that seem like a divine miracle 🉑️Chan life, many lay Buddhists come here every year to worship and practice Chan 🚌Transportation: Very, very inconvenient! . 2⃣️｜Wuzu Temple Wuzu Temple is the birthplace of the Sinicization of Indian Buddhism—Zhao Puchu It was granted the title 'Ancestral Court of the World' The grand hall with yellow walls and gray tiles has a solemn atmosphere, and the most ancient part is the True Body Hall, behind the Buddha statue is embedded a wooden lattice window, and the true body of the Fifth Ancestor is hidden behind it. ◾️Behind the mountain, the bamboo forest is dense, with many hidden ancient relics ◾️Climbing the 'Path to Heaven' requires a bit of physical strength, wear comfortable shoes . 3⃣️｜Sizu Temple Standing almost parallel to Wuzu Temple, Sizu guards the west and Wuzu guards the east. Sizu Temple is the first true Chan Buddhist monastery in China, larger in scale than Wuzu Temple and with fewer people. ◾️In the deepest part, there is an exaggerated large golden pagoda, next to Jing'an Temple ◾️After coming out of the Weighing Palace, don't be frightened by the stone steps of the Ciyun Pagoda on the west side, the scenery along the way is worth the physical effort! ◾️Cliff carvings. The Dharma Cave is also absolutely beyond imagination 🚌Transportation: Dahe Station in Huangmei County, take a minibus to Dahe Town, then call a car to go up, usually 25/person . 4⃣️｜Dongshan Wenmei Village Little Kyoto? I'd rather say it's the real-life version of 'Dream of Splendor'... The courtyard is so exquisite! It makes me want to stay for a night😪 but... the Huangmei Opera I've been longing for turned out to be a laser show performance, a bit disappointing 🎫 Ticket: 29.9. Before 4.27! - 😋About food ·Panji Beef Noodles｜Beef Noodles/8 yuan ·Little Potato Slices｜Potato Slices*5+Lotus Root Clips*4+Radish Balls*4/13 yuan ·Milk Tea Mister｜Golden Peony Fresh White/8 yuan ·Wuzu Temple Cute Chan Master｜Luohanguo Coffee/👍Delicious! - ⚠️⚠️⚠️PS at the end: ·Huangmei is a place I am willing to visit again, especially Wuzu Temple is really very comfortable! ·Next year I want to try to practice Chan life😭 ·It's especially convenient to go to Wuzu Temple/Dongshan Wenmei Village ·If you want to follow my route, I suggest driving🚗, personally I didn't have any problems

Wuzu Temple, originally named Dongshan Temple or Dong Chan Temple, was later renamed Wuzu Temple. It is located 12 kilometers east of Huangmei County in Hubei Province, on the Dongshan Mountain of Wuzu Town. It lies at the southern edge of the eastern end of the Dabie Mountains, overlooking Jiujiang across the river. The temple was first built in the fifth year of the Yonghui era of the Tang Dynasty (654 AD) and is the practice site of the fifth-generation patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism, Master Hongren. It is also the sacred place where the sixth patriarch, Master Huineng, received the Dharma and the robe and bowl, and it has been granted the imperial title of 'Ancestral Court of the World'. The entire Buddhist temple complex is built according to the terrain of Dongshan Mountain, divided into upper, middle, and lower parts, with an overall layout resembling that of an ancient palace, using a central axis symmetrical layout. On the central axis are the four main halls: the Heavenly Kings Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Vairocana Hall, and the True Body Hall. In addition to these, there are the Macheng Hall, the Holy Mother Hall, the Thousand Buddha Hall, and other buildings such as the abbot's quarters, the meditation hall, the inspection room, the guest hall, and the 'I' hall, with all the temple buildings featuring interlaced bracketing architecture.

The Wuzu Temple, originally named Dongshan Temple or Dongchan Temple, was later renamed Wuzu Temple. It is located on Dongshan in Wuzu Town, Huangmei County, Hubei Province, situated along the southern edge of the eastern end of the Dabie Mountains, overlooking Jiujiang across the river. Founded in the fifth year of the Tang Dynasty's Yonghui era (654 AD), it is the site of the fifth patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism, Master Hongren, and the sacred place where the sixth patriarch, Master Huineng, received the Dharma and the monk's robe. Wuzu Temple holds an extremely important position in the history of Buddhism in China. Emperor Yingzong of the Song Dynasty once inscribed the temple's plaque with 'Ancestral Court under Heaven', and Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty inscribed it with 'Zen Forest under Heaven'. Emperor Wenzong of the Yuan Dynasty bestowed the name 'Dongshan Wuzu Temple', which has been used to this day. The entire temple complex is built on the mountain in three sections: upper, middle, and lower, resembling ancient palace architecture with a symmetrical layout and clear hierarchy. The temple covers an area of nearly 50,000 square meters. The four main halls, the Heavenly Kings Hall, the Mahavira Hall, the Vairocana Hall, and the True Body Hall, are built along the central axis according to the elevation of the mountain. The architecture of the halls features interlocking bracket sets. Records indicate that at its peak, Wuzu Temple had over a thousand buildings, including halls, nunnery cottages, pavilions, towers, and pagodas.

The Fifth Ancestor Temple was built in the Tang Dynasty. It was the place where the Fifth Ancestor of Buddhism, Master Hongren, preached, and also where the Sixth Ancestor, Master Huineng, received his robe. Emperor Yingzong of the Song Dynasty inscribed 'The ancestral temple of the world', and Emperor Huizong of the Song Dynasty inscribed 'The Zen forest of the world'! The current abbot is Master Zhengci, who was born in 1971 and is a member of the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference and the 8th, 9th and 10th Vice Presidents of the Buddhist Association of China. He has published five collections of essays, including 'The Taste of Tea Zen', 'The Appearance of a Monk', 'The Place Where the Heart Rests', 'Zen is Just Like This', and 'The Warmth of Compassion'. He has published many papers at home and abroad and is known as a 'scholar monk'. Parking at the Fifth Ancestor Temple is free, admission is free, and the food in the dining hall is good! The biggest feature is self-reliance and the combination of farming and Zen. The open spaces in the temple are all planted with crops and vegetables!

🍂Huangmei East Mountain, a quiet and quaint village (near Wuhan) Ancient town - Green tile wooden houses built by the water, the sun wanders in the town. As night falls, the lights are lit, as if returning to the prosperous Tang Dynasty! 📷Photo spots 1⃣️Sanhua Pavilion: As the iconic building of Wenmei Village, the light and shadow show at night is also very beautiful! 2⃣️Wenmei Villa: You can take pictures of the Sanhua Pavilion in the yard, it looks super good in the same frame~ 3⃣️Mengmei Hut: The terrace overlooks Wenmei Village, the lake and mountains and buildings are like a landscape painting! 4⃣️Mingjing Lake Nine Curves Bridge: It feels great to capture the lakeside path, and it's very comfortable to walk around the lake! 5⃣️Lantern Corridor: It looks very beautiful when the lights are on at night, and it's also great for taking pictures! 🌟Nearby recommendations 1⃣️Wuzu Temple (10min by car) You can overlook Wenmei Village from the mountain, the view is very good 2⃣️Yuanfu Rice Field (25min by car) Suitable for children, with a wide view, close to nature, and many facilities for children to play (slides, climbing nets, sand digging machines, rice field mazes, go-karts) 3⃣️Other recommendations: within 20km (Edong Animal Kingdom, Xiangzhang Garden, Anti-Gold City, Yuanfu Rice Field, Nuobu Garden Scenic Area, Tiger引 Cave)

Inside the Fifth Ancestor Temple. Hubei Huanggang tourist area, the scenery is good, all are mountains, all the way winding and twisting in the mountain road, driving is quite a feeling. The vegetarian buffet in the Fifth Ancestor Temple, 38 yuan/person, is worth a try.