The Chinese Filial Piety Garden, facing Taihu Lake and backed by Liao’e Mountain, integrates the culture of filial piety and Guanyin. Here, one can visit the Liao’e Zen Temple, built in memory of one of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars, Wang Piao, and also admire the towering statue of Guanyin.
The architecture of the scenic area is quite new, and the surrounding environment exudes a rural charm, though its remote location is better suited for self-driving tours. The entrance to the Chinese Filial Piety Garden is by the lakeside of Taihu, and its layout is similar to that of Wuxi’s Lingshan Scenic Area. Upon entering, one first encounters the Gratitude Square, which is set amidst a lake with a 12-meter-tall white pure vase standing at its center, featuring timed fountain performances.
A fork in the road leads to two destinations; to the right is the Ancestral Hall, and to the left, the Bodhi Avenue leads to the Guanyin Sacred Land. Inside the Ancestral Hall, deities such as the Yellow Emperor and Fuxi Nuwa are enshrined, with the eastern and western halls housing the Genealogy Culture Museum, and 105 rooms on both sides serving as clan halls for various surnames.
Further along the path to the Guanyin Sacred Land, another fork leads to the Liao’e Zen Temple. Originally constructed in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, the temple has been destroyed and rebuilt throughout the dynasties, with remnants such as an ancient well and stone pillar carvings from the Ming Dynasty still existing. The temple, with its yellow walls and black tiles, is surrounded by lush greenery, creating a tranquil atmosphere.
After visiting the Liao’e Zen Temple, one returns to the Bodhi Avenue and continues on to the Guanyin Sacred Land. Along the way, one passes the Filial Piety Museum before entering the mountain gate of the Guanyin Sacred Land, where the subsequent areas are all related to Guanyin. The Zhengfa Ming Hall enshrines Zhengfa Ming Tathagata (the previous life of Guanyin Bodhisattva) and the Twelve Perfectly Enlightened Bodhisattvas.
Ascending a slope along the stone steps, one arrives at the main attraction of the Guanyin Sacred Land, the Jiangnan Grottoes, where three artificially excavated grottoes each house a golden statue; the central one is of Guanyin Bodhisattva, flanked by Sudhana and the Dragon Girl.
After touring the Chinese Filial Piety Garden, one can take a leisurely stroll by Taihu Lake, enjoying the breeze and watching the sunset over the lake. Additionally, there are dedicated bicycle lanes on both sides of the Huan Taihu Road at the entrance, and self-driving tourists who bring their bicycles can enjoy a pleasant ride here.
Opening Hours: All year round, 08:30-16:30
Preferential Policies: Children: under 1.4 meters (not including), free; 1.4 meters (including) – 1.5 meters (including), discounted tickets. Students: only primary and secondary school students, with valid identification, discounted tickets. Elderly: 70 years old (including) and above, with senior citizen card or ID, free.
Service Facilities: Parking Lot: [Chinese Filial Piety Garden Parking Lot], Reference Price: Free; Address: No. 101 Huan Taihu Road, Xueyan Town, Wujin District, Changzhou City; Spaces: 276
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