[2025 Xi'an Attraction] Travel Guide for Wang Ji Temple (Updated Oct)

Wangji Temple Address: North of Pao Fang Street, Dongguan, Xi'an. Accessible by public transportation. Features: 1. During the Tang Dynasty, the temple was located between the Daming Palace and the Xingqing Palace, and was used for royal court worship. 2. The temple was built by Princess Taiping of the Tang Dynasty for her mother, Wu Zetian. The name comes from the Book of Songs, "I want to repay your kindness, the sky is boundless", hence the name Wangji Temple. 3. Wangji Temple is one of the ancestral temples of the Pure Land Sect of Chinese Buddhism. Its religious, cultural, and historical value is rare nationwide. Temple Information: 1. Tang Dynasty astronomer Yixing lived in Wangji Temple several times throughout his life, and passed away in Huayan Temple in the 15th year of the Kaiyuan era. 2. The temple is now a nunnery. There are not many visitors. 3. The main ancient buildings are: Main Hall, Vajra Hall, Bell and Drum Tower, Mountain Gate, etc. 4. The temple houses works by famous painters such as Wei Chi Yiseng, Wu Daozi, Zhou Fang, Dong Yuan, and Yang Tingguang. 5. The pair of Pixiu on both sides of the temple gate are original Tang Dynasty stone carvings, which are spectacular. 6. There are also six types of inscriptions in the temple.

|||. Desiring to repay with virtue, the vast sky is boundless — Wangji Temple|||Strolling under the ancient city walls, listening to the sound of time passing, feeling the charm of Chang'an, the longing from the Book of Songs, sensing the tranquility hidden in the market, quietly listening to the Buddhist chants, and experiencing the vicissitudes of 1300 years. Opening hours: 8:00—18:00 Tickets: Free Location: North of Pao Fang Street, Dongguan, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province Transportation: Take bus routes 8, 27, 37, 43, 102, 203, 300, 602, 622, 704, 709, 714, 715, 903 to Jishiguai stop Wangji Temple, originally built in the first year of the Shenlong era of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang (705), has a history of over 1300 years. It was a royal temple built by Princess Taiping for her mother, Empress Wu Zetian, to pray for blessings. The name is derived from the Book of Songs, meaning 'to repay virtue, the vast sky is boundless,' expressing the children's infinite filial piety towards their parents. It is now a key cultural relic protection unit in Xi'an. During the prosperous Tang Dynasty, Wangji Temple was located between Daming Palace and Xingqing Palace, used for royal court ceremonies within the Tang imperial city. Historical records state: 'Extremely luxurious, it is a famous temple in the capital.' The famous Tang astronomer Monk Yixing was temporarily buried here after his death. The temple was rebuilt in the early Ming Dynasty, moving from the southeast corner of Daningfang in the original Chang'an city to Anxingfang in the south. It is now a nunnery, with ancient buildings such as the Mahavira Hall, Vajra Hall, Bell and Drum Tower, and Mountain Gate. The famous Tang Dynasty prime minister Yao Chong often resided in the temple. During the Kaiyuan era, Emperor Xuanzong of Tang established the Shengrong Institute in Wangji Temple, placing his true portrait for public worship, making it extremely prosperous. The temple houses works by famous painters such as Yuchi Yiseng, Wu Daozi, Zhou Fang, Dong E, and Yang Tingguang. During the Zhonghe era, a peony in the temple bloomed over two thousand flowers in a year, a spectacular sight. In the eighth year of Kaiyuan, Emperor Xuanzong ordered the demolition of Xingqing Palace and Daming Palace side halls to expand Wangji Temple. In the twentieth year of Kaiyuan (732 AD), Emperor Xuanzong renamed Wangji Temple to 'Xingtang Temple.' In the first year of Changqing (821 AD), the Tang Dynasty and Tubo established a monument and alliance, known in history as the 'Changqing Alliance,' with the ceremony held in Wangji Temple (then named Xingtang Temple). The Changqing Alliance Monument is still well preserved in Jokhang Temple in Lhasa, highlighting Wangji Temple's status as a Tang royal temple. Wangji Temple underwent major renovations in the eighth year of Zhengtong in the Ming Dynasty (1443), the fifty-fourth year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1789), and the thirtieth year of Daoguang in the Qing Dynasty (1850), with existing steles. The pair of stone lions outside the temple gate are original Tang Dynasty sculptures. In 1900, Empress Dowager Cixi fled to Xi'an and personally wrote the character 'Tiger' as a gift to the temple abbot. After a thousand years of weathering, Wangji Temple still quietly hides among the market and residential areas. Although it no longer has its former prosperity, it exudes a sense of 'great concealment in the city.' Leisurely strolling through the temple, most of the people moving around are lay practitioners or believers, all behaving calmly and freely. Entering the temple feels 'tranquil,' relaxing both body and mind, with lazy and carefree pigeons, content peacocks, and quietly blooming lotuses. If you feel tired, you might as well take a walk in Wangji Temple, even if just for a moment of peace.

4 ancient flower viewing spots in ancient temples known only to people in Xi’an Citywalk or ride for a day under the city wall Collect this spring flower chasing map and temple tour route to take you to see the spring in the ancient temple under the Xi'an city wall ~ When the thousand-year-old/hundred-year-old temple meets the spring flowers The collision of history and new life really fills the atmosphere~ Tour route: Guangren Temple-Wolong Temple-Wangji Temple-Baxian Temple How to play: citywalk or riding (there are subways near the temple, not far from each other, and riding is also very convenient) Guangren Temple(p2-p4) The red wall magnolia under the city wall is popular in the circle of friends. It is a cultural and historical blockbuster. You can also receive various peripherals when entering the temple. The only drawback is that there are many people and there will be fewer people if you go early in the morning. Opening hours: 8:00-17:30 Wolong Zen Temple (p5-p8) A quiet thousand-year-old temple under the city wall Deep and quiet, the magnolia flowers in the temple are also in bloom. The magnolia flowers in the sun are really stunning with the scripture walls and the architectural silhouette of the ancient temple. It’s really nice to take photos in Hanfu. There aren’t many people there, and there are also cherry blossoms and peonies after a while~ Opening hours: 8:30-17:00 (6:30-17:00 on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month) Wangji Temple(p9-p12) The secret and low-key ancient temple outside the east gate It was built by Princess Taiping to pray for her mother Wu Zetian. Because few people know about it and it is not famous among the Internet. The magnolia flowers in the temple are really sparse and beautiful. There are also two peacocks and cute cats. Opening hours: 7:30-16:30 (5:00-16:30 on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month) Baxian Temple (p13-p16) It’s about a 5-minute walk from Wangji Temple. The magnolia flowers in Baxian Temple are also in full bloom. Compared to temples and Taoist temples, it feels different. There are many lazy cats in the yard. Opening hours: 8:00-16:45 Turn down these temples Basically a day has passed Perfect for a nice spring weekend Cycling or citywalking for a whole day, encounter the spring and scenery of the ancient city

📖In the early Tang Dynasty, Princess Taiping donated and built it for her mother, Empress Wu Zetian, to pray for blessings. It was named after the 'Poetry of the Book of Songs·Xiaoya·Liaoe' 'Want to repay its virtue, the vast sky is endless.' The famous Tang Dynasty prime minister Yao Chong once lived here for a long time, and the monk Yihang was buried here after his death. The famous Changqing Alliance during the reign of Emperor Muzong was held here. At that time, Wangji Temple was called Xingtang Temple, and the meaning is self-evident. 🚏Located outside the East Gate of Xi'an City, not far from the Changle Gate of Xi'an City Wall. The carved beams and painted buildings are very exquisite. When you go in the morning, you can see the monks' morning class, light the lamp to worship the Buddha, and chant the sutras. 🕰️Roaming in Xi'an, this city can always bring people a shock in time and space.

Not all native Xi'an people have necessarily been there. Recently, it has been raining continuously, but the feeling of clear autumn air is addictive. I decisively invited a few friends to go to CityWalk, and inadvertently we discovered a route that even max level players may not have taken. It was the first time for the natives of Xi'an to go. 1.1030s A newly opened light industrial style coffee shop, the location is particularly good, just outside the East Gate, next to the parking lot, you can park the car in and start walking. Recommend avocado latte and mango milkshake. 2. Dongyue Temple The location is just behind 1030s. After drinking coffee, you can get there when you go out. You can exchange tickets with a certificate (free). If you don't bring it, you can also use a photo. The mural on the ticket is the mural you can enjoy recently. There are almost no tourists in the yard, only a few staff members. There are no Buddha statues for worship. The main hall is a whole wall of murals. The murals are really exquisite, comparable to the Riverside Scene at Qingming Festival. There are hundreds of characters on it, but the light is not very good, so it's not easy to see clearly. 3. Shou and Tianqi This shop is too hidden, really hard to find, selling sugar water, a couple of freshly made, I super like taro balls, really delicious, especially dense, tired to go in and sit down. 4. Wangji Temple It's a Tang Dynasty temple. Every time I pass by the East Gate, I can see the sign, but I have never been in. It is said that it was built by Princess Taiping for her mother Wu Zetian. It is a nunnery. There are many plaques of ordinary people inside. It should be possible to put the plaques of deceased relatives in for worship. Inside the Daxiong Hall is a statue of Thousand-Hand Guanyin, which is quite shocking. There is a temple cat in the yard, which is very atmospheric. I just met a master meditating under the tree, and a beam of sunlight was shining on her face, which was so beautiful. 5. Cai's Handmade Dan Dan Noodles After a tired afternoon, you can eat a bowl of noodles here. If it weren't for someone to take you, you would never think of the noodle stall, especially the thick sauce with fried eggs and handmade noodles. After eating the noodles, you can still have half a bowl of sauce. There are many people around for meals, only foodies know. 6. Yeast Dough I ate too much and walked to the old vegetable market. Seeing this bakery, I couldn't walk anymore. The boss is a blue ribbon chef who studied in France. The bread is baked every day. I bought a bag and took it home. Tomorrow's breakfast is settled.