The Temple of Six Banyan Trees has a long history as a monastery and is well know within China and abroad by those who have an interest in this area. The site contains majestic towers, dense trees, plenty of antiques and valuable heritage from famous people throughout its history. It is one of four Buddhist temple complexes in Guangzhou with the other three being Guangxiao Temple, Hualin Temple and Haizhuang Temple. The Canton Trade Fair will be held in October, Welcome to The Temple of Six Banyan Trees when you come to Guangzhou for the Canton Fair 2013.

Originally built in 537, the temple has been rebuilt several times, and the name has also been changed several times from Changshou Temple (meaning Longevity Temple) to Jinghui Temple and finally the current name. It is a name given by the great litterateur Su Dongpo in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279). It is said that he visited the temple while returning to the north. During the visit, he found six banyan trees there particularly striking. The vitality of the trees put him in a good mood and cheered him up. When the abbot of the temple invited him to suggest a name, Su Dongpo wrote down its present name. Finally, the temple changed its former name (Jinghui Temple) to the name Temple of the Six Banyan Trees. A pagoda in the temple is known variously as Six Banyan Pagoda or Flowery Pagoda.
The architecture that catches the visitors’ eyes most is the Six Banyan Pagoda. It is a pagoda where Buddhist relics are placed. Its roofs curve upwards and look like dark red flower petals. The tip of the pagoda is like stamens, while the whole construction looks like a huge stigma high in the air. Therefore, people like to call it the Flowery Pagoda. The pagoda not only has a nice appearance, but also provides visitors a good place to overlook enchanting scenery around.
To the west of the Six Banyan Pagoda is Daxiong Baodian Hall – the main hall of the temple. The three biggest copper Buddhist statues placed there are among the biggest and most ancient Buddhist statues in Guangdong. The middle one is Sakyamuni, to the left, the Amitabha and to the right, the Apothecary Buddha. They stand for present, past and future.

After entering by the mountain gate, the Tianwang Hall is the first hall you will see. The Laughing Buddha is there with smile all over his face to welcome visitors. Behind it is the Weituo Hall. According to legend, Weituo was a general who recaptured the Buddhist relics which had been stolen. He keeps a straight face, looking very serious and frightful, in distinct contrast with the Laughing Buddha.
The Temple of Six Banyan Trees has a long history in Guangzhou and is an ancient monastery famous at home and abroad. There are majestic towers, dense trees, plenty of antiques and valuable heritage from those famous people in the history.
Address: 87, Xiurong Road, Yuexiu District, Guangzhou
Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00
Transportations: Subway line i and get off at GongyuanQianzhan Station. Bus, you can take 56,58 Liurong Station or take 5、7、29、85、86、88、102、104、107、124、180、203、217、243、244、253、273、519、552 to ZhongshanLiulu Station.