Bishan Temple

Shanxi

LoginSave

Bìshān Temple is Wutai Shan's largest shífāng chánsi (十方禪寺): Buddhist monks of any denomination are welcome to stay and eat here for free. The austere complex dates from the 5th century, but was considerably added to during the Ming dynasty. An interesting feature is the precept platform (戒坛, jiè tán; called 'abstinence altar' here), where Buddhist precepts are formally kept and received. Here too lies one the temple's most precious donations – a Buddha statue of white Burmese jade.

Precepts are taken very seriously at this temple – you'll see reminders for proper behaviour on the walls.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Tayuan Temple

    Tayuan Temple

    1.17 MILES

    At the base of Spirit Vulture Peak (灵鹫峰, Língjiù Fēng), Tayuan Temple is the most prominent landmark in Wutai Shan and virtually all pilgrims pass through…

  • Xiantong Temple

    Xiantong Temple

    1.09 MILES

    Xiantong Temple – the largest temple in town – was erected in AD 68 and was the first Buddhist temple in the area. It comprises more than 100 halls and…

  • Nanshan Temple

    Nanshan Temple

    3.11 MILES

    For extraordinary views, walk 2.5km south of Dailuo Peak to the isolated, maze-like Nanshan Temple. The six-hectare complex is built on a hillside 1700m…

  • Luohou Temple

    Luohou Temple

    1.03 MILES

    Luohou Temple is one of the earliest sites of Chinese esoteric Buddhism. It dates from the Tang dynasty and underwent restoration in the Ming and Qing…

  • Foguang Temple

    Foguang Temple

    15.28 MILES

    This temple's main hall dates to 857 and contains a statue of Sakyamuni surrounded by other colourful statues with 296 arhat (罗汉, luóhàn) in the flanks…

  • Shuxiang Temple

    Shuxiang Temple

    1.53 MILES

    Built in the Yuan dynasty but restored in the Ming, Shuxiang Temple contains Wutai Shan’s largest statue of Manjusri – 10m tall and riding a lion – the…

  • Puhua Temple

    Puhua Temple

    2 MILES

    The buildings at Puhua Temple are relatively young (Republic era), but the temple is home to some interesting stone carvings and the longest screen wall…

  • Yuanzhao Temple

    Yuanzhao Temple

    1.01 MILES

    Yuanzhao Temple contains a 16m stupa surrounded by four smaller ones. It's believed to hold the ashes (舍利子, shèlìzi) of the Indian Buddhist monk Śāriputra…

View more attractions

Nearby Shanxi attractions

1. Qifo Temple

0.47 MILES

Seven Buddhas Temple honours the Seven Buddhas of Antiquity; namely, Vipassī, Sikhī, Vessabhū, Kakusandha, Koṇāgamana, Kassapa and Gautama. They're…

2. Shàncái Dòng Sì

0.92 MILES

The Qing emperor Shunzhi, who ruled from 1644 to 1661, was said to have been a monk at this temple over the river and backing onto Dailuo Peak.

3. Guangzong Temple

0.93 MILES

This Ming dynasty temple has features of both Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, from the monks' robes to their prayers. The main hall is known as Bronze Tile…

4. Dailuo Peak

0.94 MILES

For excellent views of the town and beyond, you can trek, take a chairlift or ride a horse (¥50 one way) up to the temple on Dailuo Peak, on the eastern…

5. Yuanzhao Temple

1.01 MILES

Yuanzhao Temple contains a 16m stupa surrounded by four smaller ones. It's believed to hold the ashes (舍利子, shèlìzi) of the Indian Buddhist monk Śāriputra…

6. Luohou Temple

1.03 MILES

Luohou Temple is one of the earliest sites of Chinese esoteric Buddhism. It dates from the Tang dynasty and underwent restoration in the Ming and Qing…

7. Guangren Temple

1.03 MILES

Located east of Xiantong Temple in the village, Guangren Temple was built in the Qing dynasty as an extension of its larger neighbour Luohou Temple, to…

8. Xiantong Temple

1.09 MILES

Xiantong Temple – the largest temple in town – was erected in AD 68 and was the first Buddhist temple in the area. It comprises more than 100 halls and…