Lingyin Temple, Fei Lai Feng & Hupao Spring Park

 Lingyin Temple

When you are traveling in Hangzhou, two sights should not be missed. One is the West Lake; the other one must be the Lingyin Temple.

Lingyin Temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples of northern China. It is built beside the Peak Flown from Afar (Fei Lai Feng) to the west of the West Lake. Legend has it that 1600 years ago, an Indian monk came to Hangzhou. He saw the astonishing beauty of the mountains here and thought it was where immortals retreated. Hence he had a temple built and named it the Lingyin Temple (Immortals Retreat Temple).

Stepping into the Temple, visitors see the Heavenly Kings Hall (Tianwang Hall) first. In the hall there is the statue of Maitreya Buddha, sitting on the rush cushion and showing a pleasant smile. While in the Daxiong Baodian, there stands the statue of Sakyamuni made by the sculptors and folk handicraftsmen of Zhejiang Province.

The Peak Flown from Afar beside the Lingyin Temple is also a famous sight in Hangzhou. Do not forget to visit it when you come to the Lingyin Temple.

 Fei Lai Feng (Peak Flown From Afar)

Peak Flown from Afar (Fei Lai Feng) is a mountain next to the Lingyin Temple, and it is recommended that tourists visit this sight as well when traveling to the Lingyin Temple.

As to the name of the mountain, legend has it that when an Indian monk called Hui Li visited this sight, he saw the craggy mountain was much like mountains in India. However, he did not know how the mountain had gotten here. So later he named the mountain, the 'Peak Flown from Afar'.

Due to the erosion by groundwater, there are many marvelous caves in the mountain. In one of these caves, the Shexu Cave, if looking at the roof of the cave at the right time, you will see a beam of sunlight shining into the cave, this famous scene called 'the Gleam of the Sky'. On the cliff below the summit, there are a large number of caves with exquisite Buddha statues, carved during the Song and Yuan dynasties. Among them, the largest statue of the smiling Maitreya Buddha is the best-preserved one of its kind and embodies the artistry of carving in the Song Dynasty (960 - 1279).

Admission Fee: CNY 35
Bus Route: 7, 807

Hupao Spring Park

Hupao Spring Park is located at the foot of Daci Mountain to the southwest of West Lake.

Upon entering the gate of the Hupao Spring Park, you will see tall green trees reaching upward into the sky and is very tranquil. Limpid pools, springs and brooks hidden among the green hills run along courses and nourish the flora and fauna here.

Stepping on the stairs of a path at the left side, you will find a group of stone statues, the Tiger Dreaming Statues. A monk Xing Kong reclines on the stone with his eyes closed with two stone tigers at his sides is both powerful and vivid. The statues are incredibly lifelike and full of interest.

Legend has it that the monk Xing Kong once lived here. However there was no water, so Xing Kong intended to leave. One night, he dreamed a God told him, 'Tomorrow, two tigers will move a spring here'. The next day, he really saw two tigers digging at the ground when suddenly; a wellhead of spring water came flowing forth, the present Hupao Spring.

The spring water of the Hupao Spring is actually the groundwater running out of a cranny. The water tastes pure and sweet. Combined with the Longjing (Dragon Well) Tea, they win great praise. As a matter of fact, the groundwater of the Hupao Spring is the natural drinkable mineral water bearing the function of medical treatment. Hangzhou people like to drink it for their health.