Lingyin Temple

Lingyin (Soul's Retreat) Temple is one of the largest and wealthiest Buddhist temples in China, founded in the 4th century and set in the forested hills west of West Lake. Its great halls house towering carved figures, and the atmosphere of incense and chanting is powerful.

Beside the temple, the Feilai Peak (Flying Peak) is a limestone ridge carved with hundreds of Buddhist grottoes and figures, the earliest dating back over a thousand years. Together the temple and the grottoes make one of the most rewarding cultural visits in the Hangzhou region.

It is a popular pilgrimage site, so it is rarely quiet, but the scale and setting — green hills, ancient trees, and the sound of chanting — still impress. Combine it with a walk in the surrounding hills or a visit to the nearby tea villages.

Take the bus from West Lake's north shore or a taxi/ride-hail to the Lingyin area (about 20 minutes from the lake). The temple is a short walk from the entrance along a pleasant path. Public buses serve the site well, and it is a common stop on Hangzhou itineraries.

Enter and first explore the Feilai Peak grottoes along the base of the limestone ridge, then continue into Lingyin Temple proper and walk its halls and courtyards. Allow time to simply sit in the gardens. Afterward, walk or ride into the Longjing tea terraces for a cup of the local green tea.

The Lingyin area has a few peaceful guesthouses and tea-village stays set among the hills, ideal for a quieter Hangzhou experience. Most visitors stay near West Lake and make the short trip west to the temple. The nearby Longjing tea villages are a lovely base for a night or two.

• Go early — the temple fills up from mid-morning.
• Do not skip the Feilai Peak grottoes beside the temple.
• Dress modestly; it is an active place of worship.
• Combine with a walk in the Longjing tea terraces nearby.
• Bring small change for optional hall donations.