KAIYUAN TEMPLE

The city's landmark, Kaiyuan Temple, located in the heart of Quanzhou, is a marvel of architecture and spirituality. Easily spotted thanks to its two imposing pagodas, Zhenguo (48 m) and Renshou (44 m), it is the largest Buddhist temple in Fujian and houses a unique wealth of heritage. Founded in 686 during the Tang dynasty, it was first known as the Lotus Temple before taking on its present name under Emperor Xuanzong in 738. The temple's major edifice, dating from the Ming dynasty, boasts an impressive hall, the Baizu Dian (Hundred Pillar Hall), supported by 86 sculpted columns. A testimony to the cultural exchanges between China and India, the temple also features pillars adorned with Sanskrit inscriptions and sculpted reliefs inspired by Indian art. An elegantly preserved ^20th-century library completes this exceptional architectural ensemble. All around, finely sculpted pavilions reveal treasures of frescoes and engraved columns. The park, shaded by majestic banyan trees with their impressive roots, is a haven of tranquility where the chanting of monks at prayer resounds. A ballet of worshippers and visitors gather here, making fruit offerings and burning incense. While young girls in traditional dress pose at their most beautiful angle, as they are so fond of doing in China. The site's grandeur, thousand-year-old history and splendor make it a must-see in Quanzhou.