[2025 Shenyang Attraction] Travel Guide for Ci'en Temple (Updated Jul)

As the morning light breaks, the eastern sky gradually brightens, and Shenyang Cien Temple awakens at this moment. Like an elder who has experienced the passage of time, it sits quietly between bustling and tranquility, unfolding a poetic picture. Stepping into this sacred land, the bluestone path winds forward, flanked by ancient cypresses, as if telling stories of a thousand years. Every step is taken on the veins of history, leading you to the depths of your soul. Cien Temple is not only a hall of faith but also a treasure of humanity. The ancient architectural complex is well-arranged, with flying eaves and glazed tile roofs. Every brick and tile embodies the devotion and wisdom of craftsmen. The scenery changes with the seasons: in spring, the wind caresses, and flowers bloom in a riot of colors; in summer, the rain gently washes, and the green grass is lush, with a gentle breeze; in autumn, the wind brings coolness, and the fields are golden, a scene of harvest; in winter, the snow is white, and the temple is wrapped in silver, adding a touch of sacred beauty. Especially at dusk, the sunset glows, and the golden light falls, making the entire temple seem enchanted, exuding an indescribable charm. Being here, whether sitting quietly by the lotus pond, reading ancient scrolls in the scripture pavilion, or following the monks' footsteps to experience a morning lesson, every breath and heartbeat seems to be deeply purified, and the soul is stretched and freed like never before. Cien Temple is not just a place; it is a force, a force that allows people to find themselves and find peace in a restless world. Travel Tips: Late spring and early summer are the most colorful times at Cien Temple. Everything is revived, and flowers are in full bloom, making it the best time for photography enthusiasts to capture the spring in their lenses. If you have the opportunity, consider staying overnight at the temple to experience a true night of Zen meditation. Let the starlight and moonlight accompany you to sleep, and perhaps you will hear the deepest voice in your heart. Bring a journal to record the time spent with ancient trees or the insights from conversations with Buddhist scriptures. These will be your precious treasures from this trip. Dress lightly and simply, bring a humble heart, and come here to breathe with all things and live in harmony with heaven and earth. Shenyang Cien Temple, a tranquil place hidden behind the urban hustle and bustle, calls to every soul yearning for peace. Whether you are here to seek or to let go, there is a story waiting for you to write.

Ci'en Temple📿 📍Address: No. 12, Ci'en Temple Lane, Da South Street, Shenhe District, Shenyang City 🕐Time: 8:00–14:00 🎫Ticket: Free🆓 🕯️Incense offering: Starting from 5 yuan (QR code payment available) 🅿️Parking: It's best to park nearby, as the road next to the temple is very narrow 🛐Temple introduction: Ci'si Temple, reportedly built during the Tang Dynasty, is recorded in the 'Shenyang Municipal Religious Affairs Bureau Monastery Volume, 1961 Buddhist Archives': Expanded in the early Qing Dynasty, located along the Hutong of Deshengguan Well. In the second year of Tiancong (1628), Tong Jian and in the first year of Shunzhi (1644), the Buddha hall was renovated. In the tenth year of the Republic of China, the monk Buzhen expanded it again and renamed it to the Ten Directions Monastery. Monk Qingshan of Wanshou Temple was the monastic leader at that time, well-versed in precepts, first initiated at Ling Shan, greatly revitalized the clear rules, and acted as the abbot. Qingshan passed on the Dharma to Xiu Yuan. The abbots of Ci'en Temple include: Xiu Yuan, Hui Seng, Sheng Seng, Ming Xin, Zhi An, Dao Chen. The temple has been repaired many times by successive abbots to its current scale. The last emperor of the Qing Dynasty, Puyi, once bestowed the plaque 'Jidu Shifang'. Ci'en Temple currently has the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, the Bhikkhu Platform, the Sutra Repository, and the East and West Side Halls. The temple features cloud head columns in the front hall corridor, Xieshan-style architecture, hard mountain-style architecture for each hall, strict structure, and a magnificent layout. The temple originally had 276 pieces of ritual utensils, cultural relics, and Dharma instruments, 6500 volumes of scriptures, and 92 wooden Buddha statues. In the 22nd year of the Republic of China (1933), the Three Platforms Ordination was conducted, and in the 29th year of the Republic of China (1940), another ordination was held, both presided over by Abbot Xiu Yuan. After the implementation of policies, in 1982, another ordination was conducted, inviting Abbot Shu Pei of Changchun Prajna Temple as the preceptor. In 1963, it was announced as a provincial-level key cultural relics protection unit. It is now the location of the Liaoning Province Buddhist Association and the Shenyang Buddhist Association.

【Coral Ran】As one of the four major temples in Northeast China, Ci'en Temple, which was built in the first year of Chongzhen (1628), is also the seat of Liaoning Buddhist Association and has a history of more than 400 years. There are a few surprises: 1. Really not big: Maybe the temples built on the mountains where I grew up looked very grand and beautiful. When I learned that this was the largest temple in Shenyang, I really walked to every corner of it (looking around in the living area). It probably refers to the urban area. Figure 8 is a desolate northern courtyard full of debris. I accidentally entered here and didn’t want to turn back. A monk silently reminded me to leave through the small door on the side. 2. Sitting west and facing east: Ci'en Temple is not facing north and south as usual, but faces east, which reminds me of Chaoyang Temple I passed by in summer. Maybe it is to greet the sun of the new day as soon as possible. 3. There is a poetry society: My eyes lit up at that moment. This was the first time I saw a poetry society in a temple. Unfortunately, I couldn’t get in. I saw a couplet and a painting through the window. I was immediately curious about which master loved to write poetry? 4. There are many monks: Not counting the chanting/group trips I encountered before, you can see monks from time to time here, moving things, passing by in a hurry, chatting with guests while walking, or working... Every scene is very vivid, this time and space is the right way to open it! 5. Beggars: It seems like I haven’t seen dishevelled beggars on the street for many years. I met two of them in front of the temple, a man and a woman, with unfriendly faces. We passed by each other...