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Temple of Six Bayan Trees

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Located on Liurong Road, the Temple of Six Banyan Trees is one of the four celebrated Buddhist temples in Guangzhou, with the other three being Guangxiao Temple, Hualin Temple, Haizhuang Temple. The great towers, densely planted trees, and a large collection of Buddhist relics make it an attractive site for Buddhist believers and tourists all over the world. 

The Temple of Six Banyan Trees was built in 537 in the Liang Dynasty (502 - 557) and called Baozhuangyan Temple upon its completion. Suffering from several devastations and reconstructions, it was renamed for several times. When it was reconstructed in 989, it was named as Jinghui Temple, as it was used to dedicate the sixth ancestor Huineng of Zen Buddhist Sect by the monks of the temple. In the year of 1100, the famous litterateur Su Dongpo came here for the visit on day. He felt very delighted when he saw the six verdant banyan trees in the temple. When asked to inscribe for the pagoda by the monk Daozong, he wrote the inscription of Liurong (literally Six Banyan Trees). Hence, it was given its current name. 

In the center of the temple stands the octagonal architecture - Flower Pagoda, about 57 meters (187 feet) high, the tallest in the city. Its exterior revealed the storeys to be nine, but it is actually 17 storeyed high inside. The initial pagoda was ruined by fire in the 10th century. Armored concrete was employed to consolidate the interior part during the restoration in 1931. The panoramic cityscape is available as long as you climb up to the top of the pagoda. Having a spectacular outline, the bells are hung on each eaves, thus the whole pagoda looks like a flower pillar folded by the flowers. Besides, the body alternates with the red and white stripes. The spire seems to be the stamen. Consequently, people called it the Flower Pagoda. 

In the east of the Flower Pagoda is the Mountain Gate. After entering the gate, you will be saluted by the smiling Maitreya. On the two sides of the Maitreya are the four heavenly kings. The weapons holding in their hands imply the expectation of the favorable weather throughout the year. Crossing the Hall of the Heavenly King, you will come to the Weituo Hall. According to the legend, Weituo was a general famous for bravery and fast walking. He successfully got back the Buddhist relics after they were stolen. As a result, he was awarded to guard the stupa and Mahavira Hall. Unlike the smiling Maitreya, he looks very serious and frightful. 

Walking towards the west of the pagoda and you will come to the main hall of the temple – Mahavira Hall, inside which there placed three Buddhist statues made of copper, the largest and oldest ones in Guangdong province. Sitting in the middle is the Sakyamuni, Amitabha is to the left and Apothecary Buddha is to the right. 

During the holidays, the temple becomes extremely busy. Everyone wants to be the No. 1 who could offer incense to the God so that he can get good luck in the next year.

 Entrance Fee: CNY 5 (CNY 10 for pagoda ascending)

 Opening Hours: 08:00 - 17:00

 Transportation:
A. Take Bus No. 56 or 58 and get off at Liurongsi stop;
B. Take Bus No. 5, 7, 29, 85, 86, 88, 102, 104, 107, 124, 180, 203, 217, 243, 244, 253, 273, 519 or 552 and get off at Zhongshan 6th Road stop;
C. Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Gongyuanqian station.

 More Top Tourist Attractons in Guangzhou:
Yuexiu Park                          Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall 
Guangxiao Temple               Ancestral Temple of Chen Family

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