This
monastery on Shugang
Hill in the northwest
suburb of Yangzhou dates
back to the Southern
Dynasties in the fifth
century. It was where
the Buddhist monk Jain
Zhen once lived and
preached. Above the gate
of this famous temple is
the inscription “Fajing
Temple” written in 1765
by Emperor Qian Long of
the Qing Dynasty when he
came on an inspection
tour. Since then the
temple is also known as
Fajing Temple. A
three-port,
three-storied archway
leads to Heavenly Gate
Hall (Tianmendian) and
to the Grand Hall, which
stands at the rear of
the temple. To the east
is Clear Sky Chamber (Qinggongge),
now serving as Monk Jian
Zhen’s memorial hall.
Other tourist
attractions at Yangzhou
include the Qing Dynasty
Geyuan Garden on the
city’s Dongguan Street
which is known for its
bamboo groves; Xiaopangu
Garden, regarded as one
of the most well-known
classical style gardens
in China; the Moslem
Mausoleum that houses
the tomb of Bahaa’ Eddin
who came to preach a
Islam and died here
during the Southern Song
Dynasty; and a mosque
dating back to the mid-Qing
Dynasty. |