Temple of Six Banyan Trees

 

Located on Liurong Road, the temple enjoys a long history of over 1400 years, Liurong temple is one of the most famous historic sites in Guangzhou. Liurong Temple has the same reputation with Guangxiao Temple. There is an old saying that "Guangxiao is famous for its trees and Liurong is famous for its tower". The temple is well preserved and boasts a very impressive 17 story pagoda, the Hua Ta or Flower Pagoda which is 58 meters (190ft) high. The wooden pagoda was built in the 11th century and features beautiful carvings and balconies.

 

 

Liurong Temple was built in 537AD and was given its current name by the writer and calligrapher Su Dongpo (1037AD-1101AD) of the Song dynasty. When he visited the temple he so admired the 6 banyan trees in the temple courtyard that he immediately wrote two characters liu rong (6 banyan trees) on stone slabs. These steles can still be seen just inside the temple gates.

It was renamed as Jinghui Temple when it was rebuilt in 989AD, following the name of Huineng who is the 6th patriarch of Chinese Zen Buddhism. Now the bronze of Huineng is still displayed in the hall.

The temple was rebuilt again in 1875AD during the Qin Dynasty. The name Liurong Temple was started from then. Now the pagoda is in 57 meters (187 ft) high with 17 stories. The scenery of the whole city can be viewed when stepping to the top of the pagoda.