Zhejiang is a picturesque tourist destination, and its magnificent scenery is like a magnet attracting countless tourists to come and explore.
Some people come here to see the beautiful scenery of West Lake; some people yearn for the ancient charm of Wuzhen.
However, in this bustling tourist scene, there is a secluded thousand-year-old temple – Guoqing Temple, which is rarely known to anyone. Not only does it have a long history, it is also the most conscientious 5A scenic spot in China.
When you enter Guoqing Temple, you don’t need to pay a penny for admission, even just 2 yuan, you can enjoy a sumptuous vegetarian meal and feel the tranquility and indifference.
Guoqing Temple, this Buddhist holy place hidden in Zhejiang, is like a bright pearl, quietly radiating light. It has witnessed the changes over the years and carries profound cultural heritage.
Here, you can feel the solemnity and mystery of Buddhism, and also appreciate the unique charm of ancient architecture.
Let us walk into Guoqing Temple together, explore this peaceful pure land, and feel its unique charm and style.
Here, the history is long and the incense is very prosperous.
Guoqing Temple is located in Tiantai County, Taizhou City, Zhejiang Province. It was formerly named Tiantai Temple and later renamed Guoqing Temple. It has a profound meaning – “If the temple is completed, the country will be pure.”
Since its initial construction in the 18th year of Emperor Kaihuang’s reign in the Sui Dynasty, it has gone through the baptism of time and was rebuilt by the emperor’s order in the 12th year of Yongzheng’s reign in the Qing Dynasty. It has carried a profound history of more than 1,400 years.
This temple is not only a treasure of Chinese Buddhism, but also the true source of Buddhism. The roots of its Buddhist culture have profoundly influenced neighboring countries such as Japan and South Korea. Therefore, the monks who come to worship include not only Chinese believers, but also monks from Japan and South Korea.
In Guoqing Temple, there are no noisy vendors soliciting customers to buy incense or tell fortunes, only tranquility and solemnity.
Despite its reputation, it still maintains its unique tranquility and harmony. No admission fee is charged, so that every visitor can get spiritual purification and sublimation here.
Here, it is really a pure land in the temple, which makes people linger and indulge in it.
Here, the four seasons of pastoral scenery are everywhere
Guoqing Temple hides three layers of Sui charm.
The first Sui Dynasty is the thousand-year-old ancient temple. Every plant and tree is soaked in the ink fragrance of history, and the cultural heritage is demonstrated here.
Its antiquity and solemnity are awe-inspiring.
The second Sui is the Sui plum tree that has stood for thousands of years. Whenever the spring breeze blows in February, the tree is full of flowers like snow, and the fragrance is filled with intoxicating fragrance.
It is like a wise man who has experienced hardships, quietly telling the story of the years.
The third Sui period is the Sui pagoda standing in the rice fields. Each floor of the pagoda is inlaid with Buddha statues, showing the ingenuity and exquisite skills of ancient craftsmen.
The Sui Pagoda towers into the clouds and contrasts with the rice fields, forming a beautiful picture.
When you come to Guoqing Temple, you will feel a sense of tranquility, tranquility, simplicity and Zen.
This is not only because of the well-proportioned and well-layered natural environment here, which makes people feel like they are in a fairyland.
What’s more, the original charm is preserved here, and even the practice methods are in accordance with tradition.
The field under the Sui Pagoda is a testament to the monks’ equal emphasis on agriculture and Zen and their self-sufficiency.
They work in the fields, live a simple life, and pursue inner peace and tranquility. It is this simple lifestyle that allows them to truly achieve the state of “quietness”.
The fields and Sui Pagoda complement each other, forming a harmonious picture, which makes people feel a deep tranquility and serenity.
Here, spending money becomes a difficult task
The stubbornness and purity of Guoqing Temple
In a world where prosperity and temptation intersect, many temples choose to cater to the market, but Guoqing Temple is like a breath of fresh air, sticking to its “stubbornness”.
As a former 5A scenic spot, it originally only charged a symbolic 5 yuan ticket. However, when the government proposed to increase the price, the temple canceled the ticket without hesitation, allowing every tourist to enter this place for free. The pure land of Buddhism, feel its tranquility and charm.
Simple meals and accommodation
If you are eager to taste a vegetarian meal here, you will find that the prices here are unbelievably affordable. Four dishes and one meal only cost 2 yuan, and one night’s accommodation only costs 25 yuan.
Such a price seems to take you back to that simple era, and people can’t help but sigh at the purity and sincerity of Guoqing Temple.
Tiantai County Treasure Tour
Tiantai County, where Guoqing Temple is located, is a county full of treasures. Not only are there many tourist attractions here, but each one is unique and makes people unforgettable.
Tiantai Mountain Waterfall
Tiantai Mountain Waterfall is 325 meters high and 80 meters wide at its widest point. Its majestic momentum and spectacular scene are comparable to Huangguoshu Waterfall, and it is known as “China’s tallest waterfall.”
For more than a thousand years, literati such as Wang Xizhi, Li Bai, Lu You, Xu Xiake, etc. have come here in admiration and left countless popular poems and travel notes, adding unique humanistic charm to this place.
Qiongtai Fairy Valley
Qiongtai Immortal Valley is a place full of the word “immortal”. Here there are fairyland-like peaks, footprints left by immortals, fairy tales passed down through the ages, and Dendrobium officinale, one of China’s nine great fairy grasses.
The canyon scenery here retains the most authentic original ecology, with both the beauty of the south of the Yangtze River and the magnificence of the north. It is worthy of the reputation of “Wonderland on Earth”.
Shiliang Waterfall
Shiliang Waterfall is the essence of the “Tang Poetry Road” in eastern Zhejiang. A stone spans the sky, and the waterfall gushes down, like a silver dragon descending from the sky.
The waves here are like piles of snow and beads, which last all year round, making people feel like they are in a fairyland in poetry.
Huading National Forest Park
Huading Mountain, as the highest peak of Tiantai Mountain, its appearance fluctuates with the changes of seasons. If you want to appreciate the essence of this place without leaving any regrets, you must come at least twice.
Once in spring, when the rhododendrons are in full bloom in May, the top of the mountain is decorated with azaleas like a fairyland; and again in winter, when Huading Mountain is covered with rime in December, it will present another rare scene in the south. of wonders.
Huading Temple
Huadingjiao Temple, as the holy place of Tiantai Sect of Buddhism, has made important contributions to the development of Chinese Buddhism.
Although this temple is not big, every inch of land contains profound cultural heritage.
You can take a stroll here and feel the history; you can also hike along the trails and enjoy the rhododendrons along the way.
Taizhou, a journey of immortality
If you come from afar, you might as well stay a few more days and have a good time in Taizhou. This small coastal town where mountains, sea, water and city coexist harmoniously was once the end point of Tang poetry and was deeply favored by poets. You can follow their poems and encounter a journey full of fairy spirit.
Come to Taizhou
Indulge in the mountains and rivers
Explore the abode of gods and experience the otherworldly realm
When you walk into the “House of Immortals”, you will know that its name is true. Here, every mountain, every river, every cliff, every cave, every rock and every peak has its own unique charm, just like a fairyland.
Away from the hustle and bustle and pollution of the city, we can breathe in the fresh air, as if we are in a real abode of gods, which makes people yearn for it.
Explore Kuocang Mountain and pursue the first ray of sunrise
Kuocang Mountain, the “Pearl of the East China Sea”, has witnessed countless sunrises and sunsets. However, in China in the 21st century, the first ray of dawn falls on the magnificent Kuocang Mountain.
On the mountain, China’s fourth largest wind farm stands. The high and low, constantly rotating wind turbines complement the gorgeous natural landscape behind them, forming a beautiful picture.
Travel through Changyu Dongtian and experience the uncanny craftsmanship of nature
Changyu Dongtian, this mysterious place, is a miracle created by man-made and nature. For thousands of years, craftsmen have worked hard and dug out 28 large-scale cave groups, totaling 1,314 caves.
They are like a long corridor of stone walls in various shapes, winding and twisting.
Crossing the small bridge, climbing up the stone steps to the top of the cave and looking down, the majestic scene is breathtaking.
Going deep into it and looking up, no one can help but marvel at this masterpiece created by nature and craftsmen.
Come to Taizhou
Feel the freedom of the sea
Explore “China’s Cinque Fishery Villages” – Xiaoruo Village
In a corner of Taizhou, there is a paradise on earth hidden, which is Xiaoruo Village, known as the “Cinque Terre of China”. The houses here are all made of stone and colorful, just like a dream castle in a fairy tale. When the sea breeze blows gently, these colorful houses are reflected on the sparkling sea, like pieces of art, quiet and beautiful.
Encounter the purest sea view – Dachen Island
If there are really holy places in the world that can withstand the changes of time, then Dachen Island is undoubtedly one of them. From being barren and declining in the past to becoming a representative of modern islands today, Dachen Island has always maintained its simplicity and tranquility.
Here, you can enjoy the comfort of island life, stay away from the chaos of the world, and steal a half-day of leisure.
Facing the sea, spring flowers are blooming – Sansuan Island
When you are tired of the hustle and bustle of the world and long to escape and find a peaceful world, Sangaran Island will be your ideal choice. This island is humid and full of vitality. Its winding coastline extends to the sky, as if it has fallen into the embrace of the sky, making it difficult to distinguish the boundaries between sky and sea. Here, you can enjoy the beauty and comfort of life.
Come to Taizhou
Taste the ancient charm
Explore the ancient city of Taozhu: a living fossil of history
The ancient city of Taozhu is built on the mountains and the sea, surrounded by mountains on three sides and facing the sea on one side. It has been a strategic defensive location for military strategists since ancient times. Qi Jiguang, the famous general of the Ming Dynasty, once commanded the war against Japanese invaders here and made great achievements for the stability of the country.
Although this ancient city is not as famous as Wuzhen and Nanxun, it attracts countless explorers with its unique charm.
Botan Ancient Town: Echoes of Time
Botan Ancient Town is small and exquisite, with the vicissitudes of time. The Ming and Qing Dynasty buildings, ancient theaters, brothels, gambling houses, banks and other historical sites still exist here, making people feel like they have traveled back to that prosperous era.
The streets are quiet and the commercial atmosphere is thin. It is an excellent place to pursue the true appearance of the ancient town.
Taizhou Prefecture City Wall: Badaling in Jiangnan
The Taizhou Prefecture City Wall is known as the “Jiangnan Great Wall”, and ancient architects such as Luo Zhewen praise it as the “blueprint” for the Great Wall at Badaling and other places.
Under the city wall, there are towering ancient trees and lush greenery, and every stone step seems to tell the story of ancient history.
Standing on the city wall, the echoes of history whisper in your ears, making people feel the weight and profoundness of history.
Taizhou trip: the perfect blend of history and nature
Taizhou, a city full of historical heritage, has both the beauty of natural mountains and rivers and the magnificence of seaside scenery. Here, you can feel the perfect integration of history and nature, and appreciate a different style of life.
Therefore, you might as well take a trip to Taizhou and let your soul be baptized in history and nature.
