Longchang Temple (隆昌寺), originally named Qianhua Temple (千华寺), is located within the Baohua Mountain National Forest Park in Jurong City, Jiangsu Province. Its origins date back to the first year of the Tianjian era in the Southern Dynasty (502 AD), and it was founded by the venerable Baoyi, a prototype of the legendary monk Jigong. At its peak, the temple boasted a colossal scale with 999 and a half rooms, and today, it still stands with over 500 rooms.
Notably, Longchang Temple is renowned for hosting the Three Altars Great Ordination, making it the largest precept platform in the country. Since the Qing Dynasty, hundreds of thousands of monks have received ordination here. Obtaining the ordination certificate from Longchang Temple is considered equivalent to earning a degree from prestigious institutions like Peking University or Tsinghua University. The temple’s location on Baohua Mountain has earned it the esteemed reputation of being the “First Mountain of Vinaya School,” solidifying its significance in the practice of Buddhist precepts. The historical and religious importance of Longchang Temple contributes to its standing as a cultural and spiritual landmark in the region.
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Longchang Temple
- Vlog about Longchang Temple
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 50 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-400-158-8815 |
Location and Transportation
Longchang Temple is situated within the Baohua Mountain National Forest Park in Baozhu Town, Jurong City, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, China. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
From Nanjing: Travelers departing from Nanjing can take Metro Line 2 to Jiangtianlu Station and board Bus 191, which runs every 30 minutes, to reach the park.
From Jurong: Passengers originating from Jurong can head to Jurong Bus Station and catch a tourist special line that runs to Baohua Mountain National Forest Park. Buses depart approximately every 20-30 minutes.
From Zhenjiang: For visitors starting from Zhenjiang, they can go to Zhenjiang Nanmen Bus Passenger Station and take Bus 606, which operates at intervals of 30-40 minutes, to reach the park.
Highlights of Longchang Temple
Bronze Hall – The Golden Abode of Guanyin Bodhisattva
The Bronze Hall, officially named the Golden Hall of Guanyin Bodhisattva, earned its colloquial name due to its initial construction using bronze components. Initiated by the venerable monk Miaofeng, the hall was funded with two thousand pieces of gold bestowed by Emperor Shenzong and his compassionate mother, Empress Dowager Cisheng. The single-eave gable roof structure, made of brick and wood, houses a solitary chamber. Described in the “Mountain Chronicles,” the original Bronze Hall stood at 7 meters in height, 5.6 meters in width, and 4.5 meters in depth, with all structural elements crafted from molded bronze. The hall features a calligraphy inscription by Emperor Kangxi reading “莲界云香 (Lotus Realm Cloud Fragrance)” and enshrines a golden seated statue of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Beamless Halls – Exquisite Sanctuaries without Beams or Pillars
Flanking the Bronze Hall on both sides are two Beamless Halls – on the left, dedicated to Manjushri Bodhisattva (Wenshu), and on the right, to Universal Virtue Bodhisattva (Puxian). Both halls, constructed entirely of green bricks without using a single piece of wood, are of identical size. The Beamless Halls at Longchang Temple exhibit a delicate craftsmanship that surpasses similar structures in Nanjing, Suzhou, and other locations, and the rarity of having two such halls side by side adds to their unique appeal.
Ordination Altar Hall – The Grand Platform for Monastic Precepts
Longchang Temple has historically been one of the largest monastic training grounds in China since the Ming and Qing dynasties. The Ordination Altar Hall, spanning five bays with a fronting screen wall and flanking corridors, bears the inscription “佛制戒坛 (Buddha Establishes the Ordination Altar).” Originally constructed in wood, it was later transformed into a stone altar by Venerable Jianyue, the second-generation patriarch of the Vinaya School. The meticulous design of the altar, mapped out by Jianyue himself, showcases an intricately arranged structure, emphasizing the strict adherence to monastic rules and discipline.
Ordination Pond – Source of Purity and Abundance
Positioned in front of Longchang Temple’s main entrance, the Ordination Pond stretches over 30 meters in both length and width, encircled by stone blocks. Approximately 20 ancient ginkgo trees line its perimeter, the largest boasting a circumference of 3.2 meters and a height exceeding 30 meters. According to local records, the Ordination Pond serves as one of the sources of the Qinhuai River and can supply water to thousands daily. Noteworthy is the peculiar rock formation within the pond known as the “Elephant Trunk Stone,” visible above the water’s surface. The water level rises and falls with natural rhythms, and atop the stone stands a tree named “Bodhi,” consistently growing to a height of just over one meter, its origins shrouded in mystery.
