灵谷寺 is a highly acclaimed tourist attraction located in Nanjing, China. With a rating of 4.7 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.
灵谷寺 is a highly acclaimed tourist attraction located in Nanjing, China. With a rating of 4.7 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.
You can find 灵谷寺 at 3V39+X4W, Xuanwu, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210049.
Located in Nanjing, China, 灵谷寺 is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.
The tourist attraction is located at 3V39+X4W, Xuanwu, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210049. GPS coordinates: 32.054984, 118.867826. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.
Last modified April 6, 2026
灵谷寺 is a highly acclaimed tourist attraction located in Nanjing, China. With a rating of 4.7 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.
You can find 灵谷寺 at 3V39+X4W, Xuanwu, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210049.
Located in Nanjing, China, 灵谷寺 is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.
The tourist attraction is located at 3V39+X4W, Xuanwu, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China, 210049. GPS coordinates: 32.054984, 118.867826. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.
No reviews found! Be the first to review!
Tucked away in Nanjing’s Purple Mountain Scenic Area, 灵谷寺 (Linggu Temple) has been quietly drawing Buddhist pilgrims and curious travelers since 515 AD. This ancient temple complex is one of those rare places where you can wander through the remnants of a Southern Dynasty monastery and marvel at the Beamless Hall—a brick structure built entirely without wooden supports.
What began as a modest temple was actually relocated by the Hongwu Emperor to make space for his grand mausoleum. These days, you’ll find 灵谷寺 sitting peacefully about a kilometer east of Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum, tucked among pine and cypress groves.
But it’s not just about old stones and incense. The grounds are layered with history, from Buddhist relics to a striking nine-story pagoda built in memory of fallen soldiers.
If you’re after good photos, climb the pagoda for those sweeping views of Nanjing’s skyline against the mountain forest. The light up there is something else, especially toward sunset.
You can join a guided tour, but honestly, the temple park is easy to wander on your own. Just keep in mind that much of what you see is a reconstruction—most of the original complex was destroyed during the Taiping Rebellion and rebuilt in the Qing Dynasty.
This Buddhist temple complex rests at the southeastern foot of Purple Mountain, about 1.5 kilometers east of Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum. Built way back in 514 AD, it’s home to the Beamless Hall and holds relics of Xuanzang, that legendary monk who trekked the Silk Road all the way to India.
Emperor Wu of the Liang Dynasty founded the temple in 514 AD as “Kaishan Jingshe” to honor the Buddhist master Baozhi. The name changed over the centuries—from Baogong Temple in the Tang Dynasty to Taiping Xingguo Temple under the Song.
When Ming Dynasty founder Zhu Yuanzhang renamed it “Linggu Chan Temple,” he had “First Meditation Forest” inscribed above the mountain gate. But here’s a bit of trivia: the temple you see now isn’t on its original site. The Ming emperor actually moved it to make space for his father’s tomb, the Ming Xiaoling Mausoleum.
Destruction came during the Taiping Rebellion—only the Beamless Hall and Baozhi’s pagoda made it through. What stands today was rebuilt during the Republican era, right where a Qing-era Dragon God Temple once stood.
In 1973, Linggu Temple was among the first Buddhist temples to reopen after the Cultural Revolution. By 1983, it was designated a National Key Buddhist Temple.
The Beamless Hall is the real showstopper. Built entirely from bricks—no wooden beams at all—this 1381 marvel spans 22 meters and has stood for over 640 years. You won’t see many structures like it anywhere in China.
You’ll also find the Xuanzang Memorial Hall here, where the monk’s skull relics rest inside a 13-story nanmu wood pagoda. Xuanzang’s journey to India in the 7th century inspired “Journey to the West,” and you can feel a sense of adventure just stepping inside.
The nine-story Linggu Pagoda towers 60 meters above the pines. Climbing its 252 steps is a workout, but the view across Purple Mountain is worth catching your breath for. Accessibility isn’t great, so take it slow.
The temple also runs a vegetarian restaurant. Buddhist cuisine here is simple but surprisingly tasty—don’t skip the mock-meat dishes.
The temple complex sprawls across the Purple Mountain Scenic Area, mixing ancient architecture with memorial sites and peaceful gardens. You’ll want good shoes and a couple of hours to do it justice.
The Beamless Hall (Wuliang Dian) is the star of the show. This Ming Dynasty building uses no wooden beams—just brick and stone vaulted ceilings that have held up since the 1380s. The acoustics inside are oddly good, so don’t be surprised if you catch a rehearsal or a lingering echo.
Linggu Pagoda rises nine stories above the treetops. Built in the 1930s as a memorial to fallen soldiers, it’s newer than the rest but offers some of the best photo ops around.
The Xuanzang Memorial Hall pays tribute to the famous Tang Dynasty monk who journeyed to India and brought Buddhist scriptures back to China. Inside, you’ll see exhibits tracing his route and the texts he carried home. It’s quieter here, a nice break from the main halls.
The vegetarian restaurant at Shensong House has been serving meat-free dishes for over 600 years. The mock-meat? Surprisingly convincing. Eating here under ancient pines feels a little magical.
Spring (March through May) is gorgeous—flowers everywhere, though you’ll be sharing the paths with plenty of tour groups. The temple opens at 6:30 AM and closes at 6:00 PM. If you get there before 10 AM, you’ll enjoy a bit of peace before the crowds roll in.
Autumn is pleasant, too, with fewer visitors than spring. The ginkgo and maple trees turn wild shades of gold and red in November, making it a photographer’s dream.
Winter is quiet, almost eerily so. You’ll have the place nearly to yourself, but it’s cold and the hours are shorter (7:00 AM to 5:30 PM). If you catch it with a dusting of snow, though, the atmosphere is something else—even if some paths get slippery.
Planning a visit to Linggu Temple doesn’t take much, but a little prep helps. Getting there is pretty straightforward, whether you’re a metro person or prefer the bus.
Linggu Temple sits at the foot of Mount Zhongshan in northeastern Nanjing, near the eastern edge of Xuanwu Lake. It’s tucked inside Zhongshan Mountain National Park, sharing the area with Dr. Sun Yat-sen’s Mausoleum and the Ming Xiaoling Tomb.
By Metro: Take Line 2 to Zhongling Street Station, Exit 1. From there, it’s about a 1.2-kilometer walk north to the temple entrance. If it’s not raining, the walk is actually pretty nice.
By Bus: Hop on Bus 202 or Tourist Lines 4 or 5. They’ll drop you at the Linggu Temple Scenic Area Stop—just 100 meters from the entrance.
I wouldn’t recommend driving. Parking is 30 yuan per hour and racks up fast if you linger. Public transport is the way to go, unless you’re a glutton for parking tickets or traffic jams.
The temple opens its doors bright and early—6:30 AM to 6:30 PM from February through November. In winter, hours shift a bit, running 7:00 AM to 5:30 PM during December and January.
Entry is 35 RMB. I’d say you should give yourself at least two hours to wander, because there’s a lot tucked away in these grounds.
Timing really shapes the experience. If you can, get to Linggu Pagoda before 5:00 PM. The sunset from up there spills over the Zhongshan forest and Nanjing’s skyline—honestly, it’s the kind of view that sticks with you.
Between September and October, the air fills with the scent of osmanthus blossoms. It’s subtle, but everywhere.
Come November, those ancient ginkgo trees go gold. The whole place glows.
If you’re around in July, keep an eye out for fireflies near Bao Gong Pagoda and Zhigong Hall. They start to appear between 7:00 and 9:00 PM, and it’s magical—if a little fleeting.
Hungry? Don’t skip the vegetarian noodles tucked behind the main hall. They’re just 10 yuan a bowl, way cheaper than outside the gates.
You’ll want to show up around 11:10 AM, though, when they start serving. The line isn’t long if you’re early, but the noodles disappear fast.
Explore verified points of interest within walking or short transit distance.
Stay22 provides this accommodation search. We may earn a commission if you book through it; verify current prices and terms with the provider.
GetYourGuide provides this tour inventory. We may earn a commission if you book through it; verify current availability, prices, and terms with the provider.
We may earn a commission if you book through links on this page at no extra cost to you. All tours feature verified customer reviews and flexible cancellation options.
No traveler reviews yet. Share your experience below!
No traveler questions yet. Be the first to ask a local!
