Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

The elegant Hua Pagoda
Hua (Flower) Pagoda
Having a long history of about 1,400 years, the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is one of the four best Buddhist temples in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou and located on the Liurong Road (meaning the Six Banyan Trees Road). It has a rich collection of cultural-relics and is renowned both at home and abroad.
 

History of Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

Originally built in 537, it has been rebuilt several times, and the name has also been changed several times from Changshou Temple (meaning Longevity Temple) to Jinghui Temple and finally the current name. It is a name given by the great litterateur Su Dongpo in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279). It is said that he visited there while returning to the north. During the visit, he found six banyan trees there particularly striking. The vitality of the trees put him in a good mood and cheered him up. When the abbot of the monastery invited him to suggest a name, Su Dongpo wrote down its present name. Finally, its former name (Jinghui Temple) was changed to the present one, Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. A pagoda inside is known variously as Six Banyan Pagoda or Flowery Pagoda.
 

Tianwang Hall

After entering by the mountain gate, the Tianwang Hall is the first hall you will see in Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. The Laughing Buddha is there with smile all over his face to welcome visitors. Behind it is the Weituo Hall. According to legend, Weituo was a general who recaptured the Buddhist relics which had been stolen. He keeps a straight face, looking very serious and frightful, in distinct contrast with the Laughing Buddha.
 

Six Banyan Pagoda

The architecture in Temple of the Six Banyan Trees that catches the visitors' eyes most is the Six Banyan Pagoda. It is a pagoda where Buddhist relics are placed. Its roofs curve upwards and look like dark red flower petals. The tip of the pagoda is like stamens, while the whole construction looks like a huge stigma high in the air. Therefore, people like to call it the Flowery Pagoda. The pagoda not only has a nice appearance, but also provides visitors a good place to overlook enchanting scenery around.
 
The golden statues of the Sakyamuni
Golden Buddha in the Hall of Mahavira
Temple Hall
In front of the Hall of Mahavira

Daxiong Baodian Hall

To the west of the Six Banyan Pagoda is Daxiong Baodian Hall - the main hall of the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. The three biggest copper Buddhist statues placed there are among the biggest and most ancient Buddhist statues in Guangdong. The middle one is Sakyamuni, to the left, the Amitabha and to the right, the Apothecary Buddha. They stand for present, past and future.
 

Burning Joss Sticks

Burning joss sticks is a big event when visiting the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. Thus every year on the Chinese traditional New Year and Lantern Festival, this place becomes a busy area. Numerous people queue to burn the first joss stick in order to be blessed by gods in the coming year.
 

How to get to Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

1. Take metro Line 1 or metro Line 2 to Gongyuanqian Station and get out from Exit B. Walk five minutes and it can be reached.
2. Take Sightseeing Bus Xiguan Style Line to Liurongsi (Temple of the Six Banyan Trees).
3. Take tourism bus line 1, 12, 29, 215, 253 or Peak Express Line 9, and get off at Liurong Lu.
Guangzhou Bus / Metro Search
Entrance Fee CNY 5 (the temple);
CNY 10 (Six Banyan Pagoda)
Opening Hours 09:00 to 17:20 (ticketing ends at 17:00)
Recommended Time for a Visit One hour

- Last updated on Apr. 15, 2021 -
Questions & Answers on Temple of the Six Banyan Trees
Asked by Tom Ryan from USA | Jul. 13, 2015 19:44Reply
Staying at Temple of Six Banyan Trees for a few days
Does the Temple have short term guest quarters in stay ?
Answers (1)
Answered by Lily from UK | Jul. 13, 2015 20:20
02Reply


As I know the temple doesn’t provide the accommodation. But you needn’t to be worried about that, for there are hotels within walking distance from the temple, you can stay there.

Guangdong Yingbin Hotel, located at No. 603 North Jiefang Road.
Jinsheng Business Hotel, located at No. 65 Liurong Road.
Hanting Hotel, located at No. 228 of North Haizhu Road, Yuexiu District.
Asked by lind from AUSTRALIA | Jul. 11, 2015 02:51Reply
After getting off subway at gongyuianqian exit b how do you get to Temple of Six Banyan Trees?
Answers (1)
Answered by Daniel from SINGAPORE | Jul. 11, 2015 03:41
01Reply


You can walk west along 6th Zhongshan Road and then walk to north along Liurong Road with the total walking distance of about 0.6 miles.
Asked by raina | Mar. 18, 2015 12:08Reply
What is the visiting time of Temple of Six Banyan Trees ?
Thx
Answers (1)
Answered by Kent from ICELAND | Mar. 18, 2015 22:24
01Reply


2-3h is enough to cover every corner of the temple.
Asked by Viveka from SEYCHELLES | Mar. 02, 2014 10:14Reply
From Lido hotel in Guangzhou, how far is it to Temple of Six Banyan Trees? How much time does it take to get there and how to get
Answers (1)
Answered by Babara from SAUDI ARABIA | Mar. 02, 2014 20:35
31Reply


From your hotel, there is about 1.5 to 2km to that temple, so it is suggested to take a taxi to the temple in about 10 minutes.
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