Gude Temple, Wuhan – Ticket Price, Opening Hours, Transportation, and Highlights

Gude Temple (古德寺), originally named Gude Maopeng, was founded by Master Longxi in the third year of the Qing Emperor Guangxu’s reign, which corresponds to the year 1877. It underwent significant expansions during the years 1914-1919 under the guidance of Master Changhong and was renamed Gude Temple. The new name, “Gude,” symbolizes the virtues of fostering a good heart and universal enlightenment through benevolence. It is worth noting that Li Yuanhong personally inscribed a plaque bearing the temple’s new title.

Gude Temple occupies a vast area of nearly 30,000 square meters, with a total building area of around 8,000 square meters. What sets this temple apart is its unique architectural fusion, incorporating elements from various Eurasian religious traditions, and amalgamating Mahayana, Theravada, and Vajrayana Buddhist influences. Such an amalgamation is a rarity among Chinese Buddhist temples.

Table of Contents

• Basic Information
• Location and Transportation
• Highlights of Gude Temple
  • Yuantong Hall
  • The Four-Faced Buddha
• Vlog about Gude Temple
• Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews

Basic Information

Location and Transportation

Gude Temple is located at 24 Gongnongbing Road in Hankou, Wuhan, Hubei, China. This serene and culturally significant temple is situated in the heart of the city, near the Jiefang Park, providing a tranquil oasis amidst the bustling urban landscape of Wuhan. To get there, you can choose the following ways:

Bus: Take bus 671, 30, or 346 and get off at Gongnongbing Road Aerial Army Hospital Stop (工农兵路空军医院).

Metro: The closest metro station to Gude Temple is Doudaojie (头道街) on line 1. After getting out of the station from Exit C, walk about 500 meters to the west to reach the temple.

Highlights of Gude Temple

Yuantong Hall

The central attraction of Gude Temple is the Yuantong Hall, a structure that marries elements of traditional Chinese architecture, particularly Han Buddhist influences, with a blend of architectural inspiration from various sources. Yuantong Hall bears a striking resemblance to a Gothic church on the exterior, with pointed arches adorning the colonnades along the corridors. Above these arches, three circular windows, one large and two small, feature circular patterns common in churches, while the smaller windows display the eight trigrams, a prevalent motif in Chinese architecture. The streamlined shape of the nine pagodas atop the hall, as well as the intricate floral, lion, elephant, and Garuda bird decorations on both the interior and exterior walls, reveal architectural influences from India and Southeast Asian nations. The interplay between the inner and outer walls and the numerous square columns in the cloister between them subtly evokes the atmosphere of ancient Greek temples.

The Four-Faced Buddha

Nestled in the courtyard between the Tianwang Hall and Yuantong Hall is the Four-Faced Buddha. In 1997, Zhang Zishan of Hong Kong invested significantly in having this statue brought to Gude Temple from Thailand. The Four-Faced Buddha, also known as the Four-Faced God, is one of the revered deities in Theravada Buddhism. Each of the four faces symbolizes compassion, loving-kindness, altruism, and justice. Legend has it that the Four-Faced Buddha possesses boundless spiritual power, making it an object that can only be worshiped under the open sky.

Vlog about Gude Temple

Useful Tips Summarized from Reviews

Expect Crowds: Gude Temple tends to attract many visitors, so be prepared for crowds, especially in popular areas where you might have to wait in line to take photos.

Dress Code: Avoid wearing clothing that is too revealing such as super short skirts or tank tops. If you happen to wear something revealing like a tank top, you can rent a shawl for 2 yuan at the storage area.

Size of the Temple: The temple is not very large, consisting of only three main buildings. It may be about the size of a kindergarten, so you can expect to explore it relatively quickly.

Best Photo Opportunities: The Round Hall faces northwest, which means it can be backlit in the morning. However, after 2 PM, the lighting becomes excellent, especially with the temple illuminated by the afternoon sun. This time offers the best conditions for photography, capturing the temple’s beauty against the backdrop of the setting sun.

Storage Facilities: At the entrance, there are storage facilities available for you to store your belongings safely while you explore the temple.