Nantong Puxian Temple: The Timeless Zen of a Millennium-Old Monastery

Nantong, this understated Jiangnan city, hides many Zen retreats worth exploring 🌿 Today, let's visit the ultra-niche Puxian Zen Temple in Nantong—scenic, crowd-free, and completely free to enter! 📍Puxian Zen Temple This ancient monastery, dating back to the Northern Song Dynasty, boasts a millennium of history. Tucked away in the city, this temple will captivate you at first sight! The best part? It's blissfully uncrowded and non-commercial, perfect for quiet meditation and Buddhist worship. 🌟Must-See Highlights ✅ A 13-meter-tall bronze statue of Samantabhadra Bodhisattva, solemn and majestic ✅ Well-preserved ancient architecture—every upturned eave and corner is photogenic ✅ The tea garden on the back hill is incredibly soothing, with the air filled with delicate tea fragrance 📌Practical Info 🚌Transport: Recommended to drive (navigate to "Nantong Puxian Zen Temple") or take a ~30-minute taxi from downtown ⏰Opening Hours: 8:00-17:00 🎫Admission: Free 🍵Nearby: Temple teahouse available (try the pre-rain Longjing tea) ✨Visiting Tips 1. Wear solid-colored outfits for better photos 2. Comfortable shoes recommended for the steep back hill steps 3. Maintain quiet inside halls; no photography of Buddha statues Nearby Eats: Don't miss the legendary vegetarian noodles at "Suxin Zhai" (just outside temple, ¥10 fills you up). On your return, stop by Tangzha Ancient Town (15-min drive) for more food adventures!