Zijin Temple, also known as Jin’an Temple, is located to the west of Dongshan Town in the southwest suburbs of Suzhou. It was founded during the Liang and Chen dynasties and rebuilt during the Tang Dynasty’s Zhenyuan era, with a history of over 1400 years.
The sixteen arhat statues on the left and right walls of the main hall are said to be the works of Lei Chao and his wife, renowned folk sculptors from the Southern Song Dynasty; the eight statues on the back wall were added by Qiu Amituo in the late Ming Dynasty. The arhat statues and other colored sculptures are exquisitely crafted, representing the pinnacle of Suzhou’s colored sculpture and painting during the Qing Dynasty. Zijin Temple’s clay and colored arhats are known as one of the ‘Two and a Half Halls’ in the world.
Behind the Arhat Hall lies the Jingyin Hall, entirely constructed from nanmu wood, which has now been converted into a Wu County Cultural Relics Exhibition Room. The golden osmanthus and magnolia trees in front of the hall are said to have been planted for over 800 years; the original trees have died, but new shoots have emerged from the dead bark, making them the second generation.
The Ting Song Hall is a place for tea tasting and rest within the temple. Sitting by the window allows one to listen to the sound of the pine waves.
Opening hours: The temple is open all year round from 08:00 to 17:00; during National Day, it is also open from 08:00 to 17:00.
Preferential policies: Children under 6 years old (inclusive) or under 1.4 meters (inclusive) are free of charge; minors from 6 years old (exclusive) to 18 years old (inclusive) enjoy half-price tickets. Elderly people aged 70 and above (inclusive) are free of charge; those aged between 60 and 70 (exclusive of 70) can enjoy half-price tickets with valid identification. Full-time university undergraduate students and below can enjoy half-price tickets with valid identification. Disabled people and one accompanying person of severely disabled individuals can enter the park for free with valid identity documents. Active duty military personnel and retired military officers of the People’s Republic of China can enter the park for free with valid identity documents. Blood donors with the ‘Three Exemptions’ Honor Certificate (National Voluntary Blood Donation Award, Voluntary Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donation Award, and Lifetime Honorary Award for Voluntary Blood Donation Service) are free of charge. Model workers in Wu County, Suzhou City, and those with Suzhou City Sanitation Honor Certificate can enjoy free entry (those with municipal-level or above model worker certificates can visit Suzhou Garden Bureau’s subordinate scenic spots for free). Eligible preferential treatment recipients and retired ‘Two Participants’ military personnel from enterprises with valid identification can enter for free. Religious personnel belonging to the same religion as the religious activity venues within the scenic area can enter the scenic area for free with valid identification to visit religious activity venues.
Additional notes: The above information is for reference only, and the specific details are subject to the public notice of the scenic area. Pets are not allowed in the scenic area.
