Kaiyuan Monastery
Kaiyuan Monastery
4.5
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:30 PM
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
177 reviews
Excellent
90
Very good
72
Average
13
Poor
0
Terrible
2
Sassy D
Las Vegas, NV40 contributions
Nov 2013 • Solo
Ah, Quanzhou! You legendary city, historical endpoint of the Silk Road, populous metropolis that I know and love so well! I recall with such fondness my year spent within your winding, narrow alleys...
But I digress.
Are you in Quanzhou for some reason? Would you like to kill a few hours in a relatively pleasant manner? Are you on a budget? Do you have relatively low expectations? Well sir, Kaiyuan Monastery is for you! It has everything you'd ever want in a smallish urban monastery in China. They got monks, they got incense, they got statues, and they got a lot of other stuff you'd expect to find in a place called Kaiyuan Monastery in a town like Quanzhou, China.
So come on down to Kaiyuan Monastery! Because, really, there's very little else of even mild interest in Quanzhou. But if you're there... you know, check it out.
But I digress.
Are you in Quanzhou for some reason? Would you like to kill a few hours in a relatively pleasant manner? Are you on a budget? Do you have relatively low expectations? Well sir, Kaiyuan Monastery is for you! It has everything you'd ever want in a smallish urban monastery in China. They got monks, they got incense, they got statues, and they got a lot of other stuff you'd expect to find in a place called Kaiyuan Monastery in a town like Quanzhou, China.
So come on down to Kaiyuan Monastery! Because, really, there's very little else of even mild interest in Quanzhou. But if you're there... you know, check it out.
Written November 7, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johan N
Gothenburg, Sweden62 contributions
Jan 2017 • Friends
A full range of Quanzhou's cultural, artistic and architectural heritage can be found on the extensive temple grounds. Outstanding stone, wood and brick carvings and other objects of art. Traces of an extremely diverse history everywhere (like the re-used hindu temple columns found on the back side of the main hall. Buildings and structures of all ages (including the Republic era).
Things not to miss apart from the Indian carved stone columns, are: The 24 flying apsaras ("angels") in the ceiling of the main hall; the Song Dyansty ship in the Old Ships annex to the Quanzhou Maritime Museum (in the northeast corner of the temple); the Twin Pagodas; the 1000 year old Mulberry Tree at the NW corner of the main hall; the Qilin monster on a sceen well near the western pagoda etc.
No entrance fee so you may want to consider a voluntarily donation for the upkeep!
After the visit, take a walk in the historic lanes opposite the main temple gate. Xiangfeng Xiang (象峰巷) starts intriguingly right behind the Spirit Wall. The beautiful lane Jiuguanyi (旧馆驿) leads south off West Street 100 m to the east. Actually, any lane leading north and south from West Street is worth a look – Pei Xiang (裴巷), Taikui Xiang (台魁巷), Jingting Xiang (井亭巷)...
And of course West Street (Xi Jie; 西街) itself is worth a closer look. An interesting mix of new and old is at the moment being constructed at No 219-223 next to the bank. May be worth checking out.
Things not to miss apart from the Indian carved stone columns, are: The 24 flying apsaras ("angels") in the ceiling of the main hall; the Song Dyansty ship in the Old Ships annex to the Quanzhou Maritime Museum (in the northeast corner of the temple); the Twin Pagodas; the 1000 year old Mulberry Tree at the NW corner of the main hall; the Qilin monster on a sceen well near the western pagoda etc.
No entrance fee so you may want to consider a voluntarily donation for the upkeep!
After the visit, take a walk in the historic lanes opposite the main temple gate. Xiangfeng Xiang (象峰巷) starts intriguingly right behind the Spirit Wall. The beautiful lane Jiuguanyi (旧馆驿) leads south off West Street 100 m to the east. Actually, any lane leading north and south from West Street is worth a look – Pei Xiang (裴巷), Taikui Xiang (台魁巷), Jingting Xiang (井亭巷)...
And of course West Street (Xi Jie; 西街) itself is worth a closer look. An interesting mix of new and old is at the moment being constructed at No 219-223 next to the bank. May be worth checking out.
Written March 3, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Visoot P
Bangkok, Thailand33 contributions
Feb 2017 • Solo
A very large compound. Generally beautiful. Unfortunately I visited when both pagodas were under repair.
Written February 25, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Raymond W
Townsville, Australia4,535 contributions
Sep 2014 • Couples
The two stone pagodas here are amongst the finest in the country. Masterpieces of engineering and art, they are rightly preserved as National Treasures. They survived the massive earthquake of 1604 which levelled much of the city, proving how ingeniously they were designed. But they are also artistically magnificent, with extraordinary stone carvings on the trunk and beautiful stone eaves which imitate the appearance of wood.
The main hall is a colourful attraction in its own right with colossal carved figures and extraordinary wood carving on the beams, including impressive angelic supports. Other attractions include an ancient mulberry tree and various gigantic stone turtles. This is the most impressive temple complex we encountered in Southern China.
The main hall is a colourful attraction in its own right with colossal carved figures and extraordinary wood carving on the beams, including impressive angelic supports. Other attractions include an ancient mulberry tree and various gigantic stone turtles. This is the most impressive temple complex we encountered in Southern China.
Written September 11, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MIKELOW
Singapore, Singapore380 contributions
May 2014 • Family
Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou , Fujian Province China is rated as China National 4A scenic area. According to the keeper, it has a history tracing back to 1300 years ago. This temple is huge with ancient architecture and located in a big compound lined with trees , flowers , ponds like a big park. There are 2 pagodas, called the East pagoda and West pagoda or the twin pagodas dated back to the southern Song Dynasty. These pagodas were built with marble stones and look beautiful from the outside. A peep through the many windows- it was dark , dirty and messy inside- what a pity.. The keeper should have clean up the place and let the visitors enter the pagoda to appreciate these ancient structures.
Kaiyuan temple is a place for worshippers, people who have interests in ancient architectures or history or nature. Others may find this place nothing worth for a visit. However there is a long street (the west street) outside the temple with lots of shops and food stalls. There are also many narrow lanes and old houses along the street. It is quite interesting to get an experience and see the daily lifestyle of the ordinary Quanzhou folks here.
Admission fee : RMB-10
Kaiyuan temple is a place for worshippers, people who have interests in ancient architectures or history or nature. Others may find this place nothing worth for a visit. However there is a long street (the west street) outside the temple with lots of shops and food stalls. There are also many narrow lanes and old houses along the street. It is quite interesting to get an experience and see the daily lifestyle of the ordinary Quanzhou folks here.
Admission fee : RMB-10
Written July 1, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kimagic
330 contributions
Sep 2019
It is a nice and interesting place to spend 2-3 hours while in Quanzhou. Right at the entrance square you see large ancient 1000 year old Mulberry Trees.
Kaiyuan Monastery is the largest Buddhist Temple in Fujian province with an area of 78,000 square meters (840,000 square feet). Two Pagodas (West and East) situated at the East and West corners of the monastery have an architectural interest.
I also enjoyed a trip to 1916 park., where industrial complex is converted into design studios.
Kaiyuan Monastery is the largest Buddhist Temple in Fujian province with an area of 78,000 square meters (840,000 square feet). Two Pagodas (West and East) situated at the East and West corners of the monastery have an architectural interest.
I also enjoyed a trip to 1916 park., where industrial complex is converted into design studios.
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ic chen
Hsinchu, Taiwan129 contributions
Jul 2019 • Friends
This temple has a rich and long history, back to the Sung Dynasty ! The two pagodas are very beautifully built, and they withstood strong earthquakes over the centuries.The museum in the back kept some Buddha sculptures dated back for hundreds of years... worth visiting !
Written July 7, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Austin Jun Fang
Shanghai, China709 contributions
Jul 2018 • Solo
The temple is located in the city centre of Quanzhou.It has long history, more than thousand year.There is no entry fee at all, the main temple is accompanied by two fabulous towers with nice names.The towers are much more attractive at night due to the decorating lights.The end of the roof looks like the tail of swallow that means no matter where you go, you will be right back to your hometown.
Written May 22, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
JoeCool_KL
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia2,201 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
A nice Buddhist temple with an interesting history. Quanzhou was a large busy port where Marco Polo has visited. It’s size as a port was only second to Alexandria in Egypt during those days.
This temple has nice Buddha statues inside and interesting beams with angels (not seen before in most Buddhist temples). The historical significance of this temple can be seen as there are beams with Indian culture carvings and even ancient middle eastern carvings. It shows the different cultures and peoples who came from all around the world to this port city in the past.
2 large pagodas are located on the east and west side of the temple complex.
This temple has nice Buddha statues inside and interesting beams with angels (not seen before in most Buddhist temples). The historical significance of this temple can be seen as there are beams with Indian culture carvings and even ancient middle eastern carvings. It shows the different cultures and peoples who came from all around the world to this port city in the past.
2 large pagodas are located on the east and west side of the temple complex.
Written November 14, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jefferson O
Tagbilaran City, Philippines105 contributions
Apr 2017 • Family
This is a historically important temple in Southeastern China. It is one of the largest and oldest in Fujian province. It is a Hindu- Buddhist temple built during the Tang Dynasty. Fascinating but is currently undergoing major restoration especially the iconic twin pagodas that mark the skyline of Quanzhou City.
Written April 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Does your hotel provide rooms for travelers with Crystal Cruises during pre-cruise excursions or is this handled by another property.
Written January 3, 2015
Think you have asked this question in the wrong place.
Written January 3, 2015
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