Tranquil temples to transport you
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Shangzhen Taoism Temple
Embraced by water in three directions, the temple has three jin (courtyard surrounded by rooms) and three grand halls. It covers more than 1,500 square meters.
It was built by the Taoist Muye Yun in 1325 and was renovated by another Taoist Li Bai in 1589. In 1742 Taoist Jiang Yunshan built a pavilion in the eastern side. It was destroyed in 1853 in a political movement and was rebuilt in 1867.
Every August, a three-day temple fair is held at the temple and thousands of people attend.
Address: Nanzhai Village in Zhelin Town
Putuo Temple
Sacred to Guanyin (Avalokitesvara), the goddess of mercy, the temple was established in the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and locals frequently worship there. A giant stone lion guards the front gate.
There's an interesting tale about the temple.
As early as in 916, it is said, an eminent Japanese monk Gao'E traveled by ship to China and then to Wutai Mountain to practice Buddhism.
The Chinese abbot later presented him a sandalwood carving of Buddha Guanyin as a gift.
But when Gao embarked on his return journey, he encountered a terrible storm and fog and was unable to proceed.
The monk realized that the Buddha did not want to go to Japan, so the ship landed at remote Putuo Island, where Putuo Mountain stands in what is now Zhejiang Province. The monk gave the statue to a local fisherman, to be worshipped in his house.
The fame of the statue spread -- it was then placed high on the mountain, and Putuo Mountain became one of the four famous Buddhist mountains in China, and a major pilgrimage destination.
Many temples sprang up and many Guanyin statues were worshipped, so the first sandalwood Guanyin decided to find a new home. Looking out over the sea she noticed an auspicious place on the northern share of Hangzhou Bay. It was a small town facing the vast sea to the south.
She rode a strong wind, flew over the bay and reached Zhelin Town. A fisherman found her in the sand and took her home for daily worship.
News of the statue spread and villagers flocked to worship. The fisherman collected money to build a temple.
After the Buddha came, the small town flourished and benefited from rich harvests, fishing and salt trade.
To express gratitude, villagers expanded the temple and made it even grander, naming it Putuo Temple.
Address: southern end of Zhelin section of Huhang (Shanghai-Hangzhou) Rd
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