Built in AD 738, Chaozhou’s most famous temple has old bodhi trees and an embarrassment of statues, including one of a 1000-arm Guanyin. Roof tiles can be daubed by a calligraphist (by donation) with your wishes, to be later installed in the complex ceiling (at least for a while).
Kaiyuan Temple
Guangdong
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.65 MILES
The moat of ancient Chaozhou is a lake inside a park well loved by locals. Around the lake are a few notable buildings. Hanbi Building served as a…
0.29 MILES
Originally a 12th-century pontoon bridge with 86 boats straddling the Hán River, Guangji Bridge suffered repeated destruction over the centuries. The…
24.22 MILES
China’s largest octagonal tǔlóu (土楼, Hakka earthen house), Dàoyùnlóu is located in Raoping (饶平, Ráopíng), 53km northeast of Chaozhou. Some 600 villagers…
0.19 MILES
The highlights here are the ancient Chaozhou woodcarvings decorating the walls and thresholds – most single pieces took a decade to complete. The art form…
0.46 MILES
Pedestrianised Paifang Jie, running 1948m from north to south in the old quarter, has signage to the main sights and is a good place to orient yourself…
0.75 MILES
Sitting on a knoll in West Lake is Phoenix Building, with its bird-like shape, iron moongate, gourd-shaped ceiling openings, and quirky interior spaces…
12.28 MILES
The only museum in China that honours the victims of the Cultural Revolution sits atop Tǎshān Park (塔山风景区, Tǎshānfēngjǐngqū), 25km north of Shantou's city…
9.02 MILES
This attractive complex was built by a businessman who made his fortune in Thailand in the 19th century. He had the region’s best raw materials shipped…
Nearby Guangdong attractions
0.19 MILES
The highlights here are the ancient Chaozhou woodcarvings decorating the walls and thresholds – most single pieces took a decade to complete. The art form…
0.21 MILES
Part of the Guangji Bridge complex. It's also a popular rendezvous point for locals meeting up with friends.
0.29 MILES
Originally a 12th-century pontoon bridge with 86 boats straddling the Hán River, Guangji Bridge suffered repeated destruction over the centuries. The…
0.36 MILES
This 4000-sq-metre compound has murky lily ponds teeming with koi and a main temple dedicated to Confucius that is supported by 48 pillars. Confucious is…
0.44 MILES
The remains of the ancient city wall run alongside and back from the river. You can walk on the top of most sections.
0.46 MILES
Pedestrianised Paifang Jie, running 1948m from north to south in the old quarter, has signage to the main sights and is a good place to orient yourself…
7. Emperor Xu’s Son-in-Law’s Mansion
0.56 MILES
This breezy mansion originally built in 1064 retains some of its ancient stonework and wall coverings. The high door saddles, unique to southern China,…
0.59 MILES
On the east bank of the Han, this is the oldest and best-preserved temple dedicated to the Tang dynasty philosopher Han Yu, who was banished to ‘far-flung…