Overview
Daming Temple in Yangzhou, located on the central peak of Shugang Hill, was first built during the reign of Emperor Xiaowu of the Southern Song Dynasty (457-464 AD), boasting a history of over 1500 years. The Tang Dynasty monk Jianzhen preached and ordained here before his journey to Japan, making Daming Temple an important witness to Sino-Japanese cultural exchange. The temple is divided into three parts: the main temple in the central area, the Qiling Pagoda in the east, and the western garden-style rear garden. Key attractions include the Jianzhen Memorial Hall (designed by Liang Sicheng, modeled after the Toshodai-ji Temple in Nara, Japan), the Pingshan Hall built by Ouyang Xiu, the nine-story Qiling Pagoda, and the "Fifth Best Spring Under Heaven" as rated by the Tea Sage Lu Yu.
The tour takes approximately 1.5 to 3 hours. The best time to visit is spring and autumn (March-May and September-November). In spring, the magnolias are in full bloom and cherry blossoms are in full bloom; in autumn, the sky is clear and the air is crisp, offering the best views of the Slender West Lake from the pagoda.
How to Get There
By bus: Take bus routes 5, 25, Tourist Line 1, Tourist Line 2, or the Tourist Special Line, and get off at the "Daming Temple" stop. From Yangzhou Taizhou Airport: Take the Yangzhou-Taizhou Airport Jiangdu Line to Jiangdu East Bus Station, transfer to bus route 88 (late bus) to Shita Temple Station, then transfer to bus route 40 or 107 to Shugang Xifeng Station and walk from there. By taxi/car: It takes about 15 minutes by taxi from downtown Yangzhou (Wenchang Pavilion). Parking is available at the scenic area. Daming Temple is adjacent to the North Gate of Slender West Lake; it is recommended to visit it in conjunction with Slender West Lake.
It is suggested to visit in the order of Central → East → West to see the entire area.
What to Expect
Daming Temple is built on a small hill only 28 meters above sea level. The main gate is accessible by a gentle walk up a few steps from the foot of the hill; the steps are few and the slope is gentle. The scenic area has well-equipped restrooms, some with facilities for the disabled. There is a vegetarian restaurant inside the temple, offering Daming Temple vegetarian noodles, Zen tea, and other meals. Souvenirs such as 18-bead bracelets can be purchased at the cultural and creative shop within the scenic area. An elevator inside the Qiling Pagoda provides direct access to the 7th floor for viewing, but the stairs inside the pagoda are quite steep, so the elderly and children should be careful. Overall, the tour is relatively easy and suitable for visitors of all ages.
Practical Tips
- Incense sold by roadside vendors outside the temple gate is not allowed to be brought into the temple. Incense must be purchased from the designated incense-purchasing area inside the temple.
- Some windows, such as those at the Dengxiling Tower, may only accept cash, so it is recommended to carry some small change with you.
- There are many steps in the scenic area, and the stairs to Qiling Pagoda are quite steep, so it is recommended to wear sneakers or flat shoes.
- Daming Temple is located next to the North Gate of Slender West Lake, so it is recommended to visit it in conjunction with Slender West Lake.
