Shaolin Temple

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Spot Introduction

Shaolin Temple, nestled at the foot of Wuru Peak on Mount Song in Dengfeng City, Henan Province, was founded in the 19th year of Taihe in the Northern Wei Dynasty (AD 495). It is the ancestral home of Zen Buddhism in Chinese Han Buddhism, holding a significant place in the history of Chinese Buddhism. Shaolin Temple is not only a Buddhist holy site but also a world-renowned birthplace of martial arts, earning the reputation of “All martial arts originate from Shaolin, Shaolin martial arts are the best in the world.”

Covering an area of approximately 57,600 square meters, the existing buildings of Shaolin Temple include the Mountain Gate, Heavenly Kings’ Hall, Main Hall, Sutra Pavilion, Abbot’s Room, Lixue Pavilion, and Thousand Buddha Hall. The temple preserves numerous precious Buddhist artifacts, such as steles, frescoes, and scriptures from different dynasties, among which the most famous are the “Shaolin Temple Stele” and the “Stele of Emperor Taizong’s Imperial Inscription.”

The history of Shaolin Temple can be traced back over 1,500 years. During the Northern Wei Dynasty, the Indian monk Batuo came to China and was honored by Emperor Xiaowen. He founded Shaolin Temple on Mount Song. Later, another Indian monk, Bodhidharma, arrived at Shaolin Temple, where he meditated facing the wall for nine years, thus establishing Chinese Zen Buddhism, making Shaolin Temple its ancestral home.

Shaolin martial arts originated from the daily practices and security needs of the monks. Through the development and improvement of monks over generations, a unique system of Shaolin Kung Fu was formed. Shaolin Kung Fu includes not only external skills like boxing and weaponry but also internal cultivation methods such as Qigong, emphasizing the realm of “the unity of Zen and martial arts.”

In recent years, Shaolin Temple has actively promoted the inheritance and development of traditional culture. The temple has established a Shaolin Kung Fu performance group, regularly showcasing authentic Shaolin Kung Fu to visitors. Simultaneously, Shaolin Temple has opened the Shaolin Culture Institute, admitting students from home and abroad to spread Shaolin culture and martial arts.

Must-Visit Attractions

  1. Mountain Gate
    • The main entrance to Shaolin Temple.

景点介绍

Built in the 13th year of Emperor Yongzheng’s reign in the Qing Dynasty (1735)

  • The three characters “少林寺” on the gate are inscribed by Emperor Kangxi.
  • There is a pair of impressive stone lions standing at the gate.
  • Suggested visiting time: 20 minutes
  • Special tip: Observe the three characters “少林寺” on the gate carefully.
  1. Main Hall
  • The main hall of Shaolin Temple, where Sakyamuni Buddha is enshrined.
  • The exquisite wall paintings in the hall depict Buddhist stories.
  • There is an ancient cypress tree in front of the hall, witnessing the history of Shaolin Temple.
  • Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes
  • Special tip: No photography is allowed in the hall.
  1. Pagoda Forest
  • The cemetery of eminent monks from past generations of Shaolin Temple.
  • There are more than 240 brick and stone pagodas from various dynasties such as Tang, Song, Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing.
  • It is the largest and most numerous group of ancient pagodas in China.
  • Suggested visiting time: 40 minutes
  • Special tip: Observe the characteristics of pagodas from different dynasties.
  1. Ancestor’s Hut
  • Built to commemorate Bodhidharma, the first patriarch of Zen Buddhism.
  • The existing buildings are from the Song Dynasty, possessing significant architectural artistic value.
  • Inside the hut, there is a Damo Meditation Stone, which is said to be the place where Bodhidharma meditated for nine years.
  • Suggested visiting time: 30 minutes
  • Special tip: Observe the characteristics of Song Dynasty architecture.
  1. Damo Cave
  • Located on the upper part of the middle peak of Wu Ru Feng.
  • It is said to be the place where Bodhidharma meditated for nine years.
  • There is a statue of Bodhidharma inside the cave, with a serene expression.
  • Suggested visiting time: 1 hour (including climbing)
  • Special tip: The mountain path is steep, so please be careful.

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Best Touring Route
  • Gate → Hall of Heavenly Kings → Main Hall → Sutra Pavilion → Pagoda Forest → Ancestor’s Hut → Damo Cave
  • Suggested visiting time: 3-4 hours
  • Special tip: Climbing is required for Damo Cave, so please arrange your time reasonably.
  1. Visiting Schedule
  • Best visiting time: 9:00-11:00 am
  • Shaolin Kung Fu performances: 10:30, 11:30, 14:00, 15:00 every day
  • It is recommended to arrive at the performance venue 15 minutes early.
  1. Practical Tips
  • Dress code suggestion: Comfortable sports shoes for easy climbing.
  • Items to bring: Drinking water, sun hat, sunscreen.
  • Photography tips: The Pagoda Forest is a great place for photos, pay attention to the light angle.
  • Special tip: Photography is prohibited in some areas of the temple.

Attractions Introduction

Transportation Guide

  1. By Air
  • Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport → Shaolin Temple:
  • Shuttle bus: about 2 hours
  • Taxi: about 1.5 hours
  • It is recommended to make an appointment for airport pick-up service ahead of time.
  1. By Train
  • Zhengzhou Station → Shaolin Temple:
  • Tourist line: about 1.5 hours
  • Taxi: about 1 hour
  • Luoyang Station → Shaolin Temple:
  • Tourist line: about 1 hour
  • Taxi: about 45 minutes
  1. Self-drive Guide
  • Navigation keyword: Shaolin Temple Scenic Parking Lot
  • Parking fee: 20 yuan/time for cars, 50 yuan/time for buses
  • It is recommended to arrive 1 hour early during peak season to avoid parking difficulties.
  1. Shaolin Vegetarian Meals
  • Recommended restaurant: Shaolin Vegetarian Restaurant
  • Special dishes: Shaolin tofu, vegetarian chicken, vegetarian fish
  • Per capita consumption: 50-80 yuan
  1. Dengfeng Special Snacks
  • Recommended location: Dengfeng Old Street
  • Special snacks: Dengfeng sesame seed cake, spicy soup, stewed noodles
  • Per capita consumption: 20-30 yuan

Special Reminders

  1. Visit with Civilization
  • Keep quiet and don’t make a lot of noise
  • Obey the temple rules and do not enter restricted areas without permission
  1. Protection of Cultural Relics
  • Do not touch cultural relics
  • Do not graffiti or carve words on cultural relics
  1. Safety Issues
  • The mountain road is steep, so please be careful
  • The elderly and children should be accompanied
  1. Other Tips
  • It is recommended to hire a professional commentator
  • Carry drinking water and simple snacks
  • Prepare a sunshade or umbrella
  • Avoid peak tourist seasons such as statutory holidays,