Top 10 Temples in China

The impact of Buddhism on Chinese architecture can still be seen today. Established as a religion more than 2,000 years ago, the legacy lives on by the many stunning temples, pagodas, and grottos still around today. Some of these incredible temples are open for visitors, so make sure you add these temples to your China itinerary:

Shaolin Temple 少林寺

A bucketlist destination for anyone practicing a martial art, the world-famous Shaolin Temple has been the main temple of worship for the Shaolin School of Buddhism for the past 1,500 years. It is notoriously famous for its practice of kung-fu and even offers kung-fu courses to visitors.

Jokhang Temple 大昭寺

Built in the Tang Dynasty (618 – 907 AD) and located in the capital city of the Autonomous Region of Tibet, Lhasa, Jokhang Temple is an important destination for Tibetan pilgrims and is sometimes referred to as the “spiritual heart of Tibet”.

Temple of Heaven 天坛

The largest of Beijing’s imperial religious buildings, the Temple of Heaven’s total area is twice the size of Hyde Park in London. Originally a place where emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasty’s would hold worship ceremonies, it is now one of the top destinations for tourists in Beijing. You can easily dedicate a whole afternoon to exploring this marvelous complex.

Hengshan Hanging Temple 悬空寺

Built 1,500 years ago in the Qin Dynasty, this wooden-framed monastery is precariously affixed to the side of a cliff, 50 meters above the ground. Interestingly, this monastery is the only one in China used by three religions – Buddhism, Taoism, and Confucianism. Arrive early as only 80 people are allowed to enter the temple at one time!

Songzanlin Monastery 松赞林寺

The largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in Yunnan Province, the Songzanlin Monastery, is located at an altitude of 11,300ft in the Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It is also sometimes called “Little Potala Palace” after the famous monastery in Lhasa, and it’s easy to see why! When visiting, be sure to walk around the nearby lake for those incredible views of the complex.

White Horse Temple 白马寺

Located close to Luoyang City in China’s Henan Province, the White Horse Temple has a history of over 1,900 years and is sometimes considered the first Buddhist temple in China. The story goes that 2 Indian dignitaries, were invited to China, traveling together with a white horse that carried their Buddhist sutras.

Longmen Grottoes 龙门石窟

Also situated a stone’s throw away from Luoyang city are the infamous Longmen Grottoes. Totalling more than 2,300 caves, these grottoes contain more than 110,000 Buddhist stone statues. It’s a marvellous site to behold, and with UNESCO World Heritage status, it’s a site not to be missed!

Lingyin Temple 灵隐寺

If you find yourself in the beautiful city of Hangzhou, don’t miss this tranquil oasis hidden to the west of the city centre. Long regarded as a poetic retreat from the hustle and bustle of Hangzhou, the temple’s Chinese name can be literally translated to “soul’s retreat”.

Mogao Grottoes 莫高窟

Strategically located at the crossroads of an ancient Silk Road site on the edge of the Gobi Desert in China’s remote Gansu province, where pilgrims, monks and scholars once rested in the 4th century, you can find 492 intricately painted Buddhist temple caves. Be prepared to book in advance as only 6,000 tickets are available each day and you’ll need a tour guide to unlock the door to each cave before entering.

Lama Temple 雍和宫

Within easy reach of the bustling neighborhoods of China’s capital, the Lama Temple can easily be reached by bus or metro for a quick 1–2-hour visit. Built in 1694 as a royal palace, it was converted into a lamasery for Tibetan Monks in 1744 and declared a national monument in 1949. Although open to visitors, this temple is still a functioning temple.