Chengdu’s Wenshu Monastery is not only the largest Buddhist temple in the city but the best preserved. Walk around the pretty gardens and enter the halls where monks pray fervently and the scent of incense fills the air.
The Wenshu Monastery was originally built during the Tang Dynasty and was once the most important Buddhist temple in all of Sichuan Province. Discover a maze of halls and buildings, including the Tianwang Hall, Sandashi Hall, Daxiong Baodian Hall, Shuofa Hall, and Cangjing Tower. Also find the clock and a drum tower.
Venture inside the halls to see the fascinating cultural relics. View over 300 statues of Buddha crafted from a range of materials including iron, bronze, stone, wood and jade. A Buddhist monk carried one of the jade statues as he walked from Burma to China in 1922. Examine some of the more than 500 pieces of painting and calligraphy from acclaimed Chinese artists and calligraphers. There’s even a piece of the skull of Xuan Zhang, a renowned Tang Dynasty monk.
Appreciate the solemnity and tranquility of the Wenshu Monastery which, despite the numbers of visitors who frequent it, prevails. Listen to the low murmuring chat of the monks and feel the spiritual atmosphere. Visit on the 1st and 15th days of the lunar month to see the temple at its most active. On these days, it is usually filled with worshippers.
One of the highlights of a trip to Wenshu Monastery is the pretty little teahouse and vegetarian restaurant. Sip traditional teas as you gaze across the manicured gardens and relax in the special atmosphere. The streets around the monastery are also part of the unique appeal. Wander the old neighborhood-style streets which are packed with teahouses, street food stalls and shops selling a range of Buddhist paraphernalia.
Wenshu Monastery is located at Wenshu Yuan Jie, just off Renmin Zhong Lu. To get here, ride a bus or take a subway to Wen Shu Yuan station, which is just a short walk away. The monastery is open daily from morning to evening and a token admission fee is charged.
