Sightseeing: Xichan temple

A while ago we visited the Xichan temple in Fuzhou. Just like after visiting the Yonquan temple on mount Gu Shan I was deeply impressed. And perhaps even more so. I didn't expect to find another very beautiful temple complex in Fuzhou, because this is a city that is not exactly recommended by travel guides as a must see in China.

The temple structures occupy a very large area, and as the temple is surrounded by walls, it is shielded off from the noise of traffic. Beautifully renovated and partly rebuilt, the buildings and the temple park are well worth visiting.

I wanted to find some information about the temple, but sadly though there is very little to be found on Enlish websites; a result of the fact that Fuzhou has so far been mostly neglected by international tourism. This is a shame, because getting to know the city and its surroundings without being able to read Chinese is therefore so much more difficult.

What I could find is that the temple was originally built in 867 AD in the Tang dynasty (618-907 AD). Together with the Yongquan temple on mount Gu Shan and four other temples in Fuzhou, it belongs to a group of important national temples. One of the landmarks is a 15 storey pagoda, a new concrete construction from which you have an excellent panorama over the city. Also interesting are the Lyche trees on the temple grounds, that were planted in the Song Dynasty (960-1279) and that are still bearing fruit.

It was an enjoyable visit; a must see for all of who are planning to visit us here in Fuzhou.