The West Garden Temple (西园寺, Xīyuán Si) is amonumental Buddhist complex enclosed by honey-yellow walls clad in creeping green plants, around 400m west of the Lingering Garden. It was burnt to the ground during the Taiping Rebellion and rebuilt in the late 19th century. The highlight here is the Arhat Hall, containing 500 playful statues depicting enlightened beings known as arhats (羅漢, luóhàn) – those who have escaped the cycle of rebirth and attained nirvana. Luóhàn usually only appear in two rows of nine on either side of the main temple, equalling 18 in total, but on occasion – and in noteworthy temples – they can appear in a huge multitude.
The western reaches of the complex open out into a sprawling Suzhou-style garden with carp-and-tortoise-filled ponds. When it's time for a break, a temple canteen south of the Arhat Hall serves hearty Suzhou-style noodles.
