Pagoda
The golden tower of the White Snake legend, glowing over the lake's south shore at dusk — one of the classic Ten Scenes of West Lake.
Evening Glow · Leifeng Pagoda · Hangzhou
Temple#Culture
Lingyin Temple
Hangzhou4.82 hr10k saved
One of China's oldest Buddhist monasteries, founded in 326 AD, set in a wooded valley of incense smoke and old camphor trees. The draw is the Feilai Feng grottoes opposite — 300-plus carvings cut into the limestone cliffs, including a round-bellied laughing Buddha from the Song dynasty. Buy the separate temple ticket on top of the scenic-area entry, and go early before the incense crowds thicken.
Good to know
- Book ahead. NEW since Dec 1, 2025: Feilai Feng scenic area is now FREE; Lingyin Temple itself still 30 RMB; real-name reservation >=1 day ahead, NO same-day (Alip
- Best time — early morning — At 07:30 opening - incense smoke, quiet Feilai Feng grottoes before tour buses; weekdays far better than weekends.
- Daily 07:30-17:30, last entry 17:00 (scenic area).
- Two tickets: scenic area plus temple itself
- Find the cliff carvings at Feilai Feng
- Go before 9am to beat the incense crowds
Insider tip — Reserve the night before - walk-up same-day no longer possible; free reservation gets you into the cliff carvings, the 30 RMB temple ticket is extra for the monastery hal
Photo: Hongtong Lin · Unsplash License
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