South Putuo Temple in Xiamen

South Putuo Temple in Xiamen

South Putuo Temple Facts

South Putuo or Nanputuo is a famous Buddhist temple founded in the Tang dynasty in the Chinese city of Xiamen. It is so named because it is south of the Buddhist holy site Mount Putuo in Zhejiang Province.

Chinese Name: 厦门南普陀寺

Type: Culture & Temples

Address: No.515 Siming South Road, Siming District, Xiamen 361005, China

Best Seasons: All year round.

Recommended Visiting Hours: about 1 hours

Opening Hours: Outer Mountain Gate: 3:00 - 20:00
Inner Mountain Gate: 3:00 - 18:00

Ticket: Free

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Why is Xiamen South Putuo Temple So Special?

  1. The temple is the most famous temple in the southern part of Fujian province and it is also well known among all the Buddhist temples in China.
  2. South Putuo Temple is a famous ancient temple in Xiamen. It has its name because of its main conformity to Guanyin and Bodhisattva, as well as its location to the south of Putuo Mountain, one of the four great Buddhist fields in Zhoushan of Zhejiang Province.

Brief Introduction of Xiamen University

Situated at the foot of Wulaofeng (Mountain of Five Old Men) and facing the sea, South Putuo Temple is deemed to be one of the must-go tourist places in Xiamen, Fujian Province. Even if you are not interested in Buddhism, you will find the place a scenic area providing you with a refreshing experience.

This Buddhist temple was once called Puzhao Temple (Universal Grace Temple). It was first built during the Tang Dynasty (618-907) and was later destroyed in the warfare during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). During the reign of Qing Emperor Kangxi (1662-1722), a naval general ordered it to be rebuilt into a Buddhist Temple and named it Nanputuo Temple.

History of South Putuo Temple

The Temple was first built in Tang Dynasty (618 ~ 907), and it was called Sizhou Temple at that time. Sizhou Temple was abolished in Yuan Dynasty (1271 ~1368) and rebuilt in Ming Dynasty (1368 ~ 1644) at the present site, and it was renamed as Puzhao Temple. The temple is mainly worshiping Kwan-yin (the goddess of mercy), just like the Kwan-yin sanctum in Putuo Mountain in Zhejiang Province; besides, it is located at the south of Putuo Mountain, thus, the temple now is called as South Putuo Temple.

South Putuo Temple is a prosperous temple, and many tourists come here to pray for health and wealth. Besides that, tourists can also taste the delicious vegetarian food in the temple, and if you more time, climbing the Wulao Peak behind the temple is a great experience.

Main Attractions of South Putuo Temple

Hall of the Celestial Kings (天王殿): It is also named Hall of the Maitreya, the Maitreya Buddha graciously smiling to everyone, falling his ears and shoulders down and exposing his navel and belly out, as he is welcoming every visitors of the temple.

The Great Buddha’s Hall (大雄宝殿): The three main Buddha being worshiped inside represents the past, today and the future; the Sakyamuni (the founder of Buddhism) in the middle, the Bhaishajyaguru (the Medicine Buddha) in the east and the Amitabha in the west.

There are two Mahakasyapas beside the Sakyamuni, they are Kassapa Thera (the Big disciple of Sakyamuni) and Ananda (the younger male cousin of Sakyamuni). The Thousands Hands Guanyin is in front of the Sakyamuni. There is an old legend for this: An old woman raised three daughters and one day she was ill and need the eyes of the live people to make the medicine, only the youngest daughter was willing to do that while her two older sisters did nothing. The story moved Sakyamuni, therefore he created a thousands hands Guanyin to memory the little girl’s courage and put the Guanyin in front of himself.

The Hall of Great Mercy (大悲殿): Thousands Hands Guanyin Buddha is consecrated in the Dabei Dian and 48 hands Guanyin Buddha are put in the other three directions inside the hall, the Buddha are holding many musical instruments in their eye-existing hands.

The Depository of Buddhist Texts (藏经阁): It is a two floors building for documents and Buddhist texts. The downstairs of the hall was once the place for teaching Buddhism, with 28 Burmese Jade Buddha inside.

Recommended Xiamen Tour Packages

Best Seasons to Visit Xiamen

Xiamen has a subtropical climate, which is generally temperate with abundant rainwater. It has an average annual temperature of approximately 21 centigrade. There is no intense heat in summer and no extreme cold in winter in Xiamen. The city has an average annual rainfall of about 1200mm (47 inches), mainly during the months from May to August. Wind power reaches Grade 3 to 4 in general, with northeast wind representing the dominant wind direction. Owing to the air currents resulting from the difference in temperature in the Pacific, Xiamen is hit by typhoon three or four times annually on average, which mainly occurs during the months from July to September. Xiamen is suitable for traveling all year round, and the best seasons are spring and autumn.

How to get to South Putuo Temple

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to Xiamen South Putuo Temple in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Independent Traveler

1. Take Bus 1, 21, 45, 751, 841 or B1 to Xiada, and you will see the temple.
2. Take Bus 2, 20, 22, 29, 47, 48, 71, 87, 92, 96, 122, 135, 324, 659, 751, 857 or B3 to Xida Xicun, and then walk northeast for 5 minutes to the temple.

Useful Travel Tips

  1.  Activities in South Putuo Temple

    In Chinese lunar calendar, every February 19th, June 19th and September 19th will celebrate the enlightenment of Kwan-yin. At these time, South Putuo Temple will hold grand Buddhist activities, and many believers will light incense and kowtow to the Kwan-yin statues in the temple to pray for health and wealth. Tourists can taste the famous vegetarian food in the temple.

    Besides that, there are five large-scale Dharma Assemblies every year.
    Sanqianfo Dharma Assembly: January 16th ~ January 18th in Chinese lunar calendar
    Buddha Showering Grand Dharma Assembly: April 8th in Chinese lunar calendar
    Yulanpen Grand Dharma Assembly: July 15th in Chinese lunar calendar
    Shuilu Dharma Assembly: October 15th ~ October 21st in Chinese lunar calendar
    Wanfo Grand Assembly: December 8th ~ December 17th in Chinese lunar calendar

  2. RESTAURANTS 
    Chaofu Cheng Tea Restaurant 潮福城: Cantonese and Chaozhou-style dishes. Try the shrimp dumplings (虾饺), chicken claws (凤爪), crispy durian cake (榴莲酥), roast young pigeon, steamed vermicelli rolls (肠粉), mango pudding (芒果布丁), minced pork congee with preserved egg (皮蛋瘦肉粥) and barbecued pork pastry (叉烧酥)… 28 Hubin North Road, Siming District

    Lujiang Hotel Ocean View Restaurant 鹭江宾馆观海厅: Views of the ocean and Gulangyu Island can be enjoyed from the terrace and through the restaurant’s large windows. Hong Kong and Xiamen style food. Try the Xuemeiniang wrapped with durian (榴莲雪梅娘), shrimp cake (虾饼), fried oyster (海蛎煎) and Mianxian paste (面线糊, Xiamen-style snack, the main ingredient is sweet potato powder and vermicelli). Floor 7, Lujiang Hotel, 54 Lujiang Avenue, Siming District

    Shuyou Seafood Grand Restaurant 舒友海鲜大酒楼: Fish, shrimps, crab, lobster, scallops, abalones and all kinds of fresh seafood! Try Xiamen’s n°1 delicacy, sandworm jelly (土笋冻). 97 Hubin North Road, Siming District.

Nearby Attractions

Edited by Bella Ren/任新月