Xichan Temple (西禅寺), originally known as Changqing Temple (长庆寺), was first established during the Tang Dynasty and has undergone several periods of construction and restoration during the Song, Yuan, and Ming Dynasties. Situated in the western outskirts of Fuzhou, it spans over 60,000 square meters of land. Due to its location in the western suburbs, it is commonly referred to as “Xichan Temple” (West Zen Temple).
The temple complex includes notable structures such as the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Dharma Hall, the Scripture Repository, the Jade Buddha Pavilion, as well as various halls for guests, meditation, and the abbot. Xichan Temple also oversees several subordinate temples and monasteries, including the Nan Putuo Temple, Er Fu Temple, and Guanyin Temple in Vietnam, managed by resident monks affiliated with Xichan Temple. Each year, numerous overseas monks and devotees visit Xichan Temple, making it a cultural exchange hub between Fuzhou and Southeast Asia.
Legend has it that during the Southern and Northern Dynasties, the alchemist Wang Ba resided here and achieved success in alchemy, purportedly creating elixirs and transforming stones into pills. In times of famine, he sold medicine and gold to purchase rice for the impoverished locals. After Wang Ba’s transcendence, a temple was erected on the site of his residence, known as Changqing Temple. It was later restored in the eighth year of the Tang Xiantong era and renamed “Qingchan Temple,” colloquially referred to as “Xichan Temple.”
Table of Contents
- Basic Information
- Location and Transportation
- Highlights of Xichan Temple
- Other Attractions in Fuzhou Urban Area
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 – 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 20 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 7.00 – 18.00 |
Location and Transportation
Xichan Temple is located at 455 Gongye Road, Gulou District, Fuzhou City, nestled at the foot of Yishan Mountain and in close proximity to Fuzhou University. To get there, you can choose one of the following ways:
Bus: Take bus 14, 27, 33, 38, 39, 64, 70, 91, 96, 98, 112, 113, 128, 132, 158, 307, or 316 and get off at Xichan Temple Stop (西禅寺站).
Metro: The closest metro station to Xichan Temple is Fenghuangchi (凤凰池, Phoenix Pond) on line 4. After getting out of the station from Exit D, walk about 700 meters to the south to reach the temple.
Highlights of Xichan Temple
Mahavira Hall (大雄宝殿)
The Mahavira Hall stands as the central architectural masterpiece of Xichan Temple, featuring a spacious layout of seven bays wide and seven bays deep. Its unique architectural style combines dougong (interlocking wooden brackets) and taigong (raised beams), supporting a double-eaved gable roof with intricate designs. Inside, the hall impresses with three towering Buddha statues seated on lotus pedestals, flanked by eighteen arhats, all crafted in a dynamic and expressive style. The back wall of the hall is adorned with a large-scale mural, adding to its spiritual ambiance. Adjacent to the Mahavira Hall, in the courtyard, stands a remarkable Song Dynasty lychee tree with a trunk circumference of 2.59 meters. Historically, the temple featured wooden pagodas flanking its entrance, which were replaced in 1925 with iron pagodas adorned with electric lights.
Jade Buddha Pavilion (玉佛楼)
The Jade Buddha Pavilion houses two revered jade Buddha statues generously donated by overseas Chinese. The lower floor showcases a seated Buddha statue of Shakyamuni, standing 2.3 meters tall and facing forward. Upstairs, a colossal reclining Buddha statue spans 4 meters in length and weighs 10 tons, ranking among China’s largest jade Buddha sculptures. Adjacent to the pavilion rises the newly constructed Bao’en Pagoda, soaring to a height of 67 meters with fifteen stories. Its octagonal design and ancient-style flying eaves contribute to its imposing presence, making it the tallest stone pagoda in China. Beside the pagoda, the Arhat Hall hosts sculptures of 500 arhats, further enriching the spiritual atmosphere of the pavilion.
Scripture Hall (藏经楼)
The Scripture Hall of Xichan Temple houses priceless treasures including the “Hundred Characters Longevity Screen” by Zen Master Xue’an, written in vermilion, along with Emperor Kangxi’s handwritten copies of the “Medicine Master Sutra,” “Lotus Sutra,” and “Shurangama Sutra.” The temple grounds are rich in historical and cultural landmarks, such as the legendary Chongxu Pavilion where Wang Ba of the Liang Dynasty ascended to heaven, and the site where the White Turtle spouted spring water. Noteworthy artifacts include the Tang Dynasty stele “Record of the True Body Inside the Pagoda” by Zen Master Lazhan, the pagoda of Zen Master Huileng, the Tang Seven-Star Well, the stele of Hongyi’s Release Pond from Song Dynasty, and inscriptions left by prominent figures like Cai Xiang, a scholar-official in the Ming Dynasty. These relics and legends enrich the spiritual and historical tapestry of Xichan Temple, making it a significant cultural heritage site in Fuzhou, Fujian Province.
