#Yunju Temple Travel Recommendations for 2024 (Updated in Jun)
Temples
Address:
South of West section Lianghu Road, Yuxiangmen, Xi'an, China
Recommended sightseeing time:
1-2 hours
It's not the Forbidden City, it's Xi'an's most low-key royal ancient temple!
Towering and majestic steps, layers of palaces, golden glazed roofs... Some angles are quite reminiscent of the Forbidden City!
However, at least 90% of the locals in Xi'an have never been to this temple. The location is not remote at all - it's in the bustling old city, bustling all year round at Sajin Bridge!
There are so many people on Sajin Bridge that every restaurant has to queue up to eat, but in this Yunju Temple just a few steps away, you can find a rare tranquility, as if you have passed through the boundary of reality.
This low-key and even somewhat mysterious temple, for many years before, was only open two days a month. I recently found out that the temple has quietly changed to be open every day! Although the backyard part still opens on the first and fifteenth of each month, the front yard is already very beautiful, whether it's shooting architecture or portraits, it's very photogenic📷
👉West Five Terraces Yunju Temple
It is said that it was built by Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty to honor his mother and facilitate her worship of Buddha. The temple faces west and east, built on the ruins of the southern wall of the Taiji Palace in the original Tang Chang'an City. Because there are five high terraces, one higher than the other, it is called the West Five Terraces (there are three high terraces, two in the front yard and one in the back yard)
🎫Tickets
Free🆓, no reservation required
⏱Opening hours
The front yard is open from 8:00 to 11:00 in the morning and from 14:30 to 17:00 in the afternoon.
The backyard is open on the morning of the first and fifteenth of each lunar month
Kaya Price
Xi'an Travel Guide | Yunju Temple, a royal temple hidden inside Sajinqiao
🙏 Upon hearing about the Western Five Terraces, one might think it would be located in some suburban area, but who would have guessed it's in the bustling Sajinqiao?! It's truly well-hidden and exceedingly modest!
✅ Knowledge boost: It is said that Emperor Taizong of Tang, Li Shimin, built this monastery for nuns and monks on the ruins of the southern wall of the Sui Daxing City and the Tang Chang'an imperial city, to make it convenient for his mother to worship Buddha. It was modeled after the Southern Five Terraces of Zhongnan Mountain, hence it is also known as the Western Five Terraces. Moreover, since auspicious clouds are often seen circling above the temple, it is also called Yunju Temple.
▶️ The temple faces east and is approached by ascending a series of steps from the mountain gate, with one terrace higher than the next, totaling five terraces and three halls (currently, three high terraces remain: the 'Lingguan Terrace' and the 'Manjusri Terrace' in the front courtyard, and the 'Ksitigarbha Terrace' in the back courtyard, connected by a small sky bridge. The back courtyard, which opens on the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month, houses the Mahavira Hall, the Avalokitesvara Hall, and the Reclining Buddha Hall, each built in front of the second, third, and fifth high terraces, respectively). The entire temple is very serene, with only a few visitors, truly a pure land hidden in the hustle and bustle of the city, offering an unexpectedly transcendent and mysterious retreat from the world.
📍 Detailed address: No. 162 Sajinqiao, Lianhu District, Xi'an. Exit from Exit B of Sajinqiao subway station, walk forward for 40 meters and turn left into Sajinqiao Road. Not far ahead, you'll see the signpost introducing Yunju Temple. Continue walking for about 100 meters to the west, and you'll find a very small alley. Enter and walk 50 meters to reach the destination. The main gate is closed, so enter through the side gate next to it. There is also a small side gate in the front courtyard (located between the front and back courtyards, accessed through a small alley on the west side of the Ancient Capital Culture Hotel).
🎫 Ticket: No reservation required, free entry.
🕙 Opening hours: Front courtyard from 8:00 am to 11:00 am; 2:30 pm to 5:00 pm. The back courtyard is open on the morning of the 1st and 15th days of each lunar month.
TravelBeyondBorders*123
Life advice: Visit this royal temple before leaving Xi'an
After many visits to the Muslim Quarter, I finally made it to the West Wutai Yunju Temple hidden in the bustling city in early February. Passing through the bustling Sajinqiao, turning into a quiet alley, it's peaceful and beautiful.
This West Wutai, built by Emperor Li Shimin to spare his mother the trouble of traveling to the South Wutai to worship Buddha, is a nunnery. Facing west, one ascends from the mountain gate, with each terrace higher than the last. Although the ravages of war have erased one terrace, the remaining four are still considered sacred pilgrimage sites by the people of Xi'an.
In the past, when people in Xi'an city went to worship the mountains in the west, they would gather at West Wutai first; after the pilgrimage, they would return to West Wutai to offer incense, completing the ritual with sincerity believed to bring spiritual efficacy.
🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾🌾
When Sajinqiao leads to the alley and you see the tightly closed red doors, don't 🙅 rush back; turn right to see the temple's main entrance.
Due to the remnants of the Tang Dynasty city walls, every step feels especially solemn and respectful. The area currently open is the 'front terrace,' with two high terrace relics: 'Lingying Terrace' & 'Wenshu Terrace,' open to the public all year round.
'Middle Terrace': 🈶 'Dizang Terrace,' open to the public on the first and fifteenth of each month.
'Rear Terrace': 🈶 'Guanyin Terrace,' not seen.
The visiting order is:
Mountain Gate➡️➡️Hall of Heavenly Kings➡️➡️Lingying Terrace➡️➡️Mahavira Hall✅✅Wenshu Terrace➡️➡️Dizang Terrace
You can get incense at the front terrace and then kneel and worship all the way.
Hall of Heavenly Kings:
▪️Lingying Terrace: The towering brick wall is embedded with inscriptions by Zhao Puchu. Below is a statue of Guanyin, holding a purifying bottle and sprinkling sweet dew. Ladders on both sides lead up.
▪️Mahavira Hall: Encountered monks and nuns performing their practices.
▪️Wenshu Terrace: Ascend via the central pathway, feeling the solemnity of the pilgrimage.
▪️The high terrace in the back courtyard is the Ksitigarbha Hall, which also serves as an office. In front of the hall is Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, with monk's quarters on both sides.
// Tips //
❶Accessible by subway
Xi'an Subway Line 1 'Sajinqiao' station, exit at B, about 300 meters walk.
❷Accessible by bus
Get off at the 'Sajinqiao' bus stop.
❸Tickets and opening hours
The temple is free to enter, no reservation required,
open daily from 8 am to 5 pm.
The back courtyard is only open on the first and fifteenth of each month.
④Nearby attractions:
Nearby are Guangren Temple, Lianhu Park, Great Mosque, Douchenghuang Temple, Gao Family Courtyard, Xicang Flower and Bird Market... which can be connected for a tour.
⑤Food:
Located on the gourmet street Sajinqiao, you can enjoy Lao Ma's beef pancakes, Lao Jin's egg and vegetable sandwiches, Honghong's sauerkraut fried rice... After visiting the ancient temple, it's time to eat.
AMBROSE LOGAN
Take a wild 10,000-step journey back to Hui Min Street! That's how the locals do it
Every Xi'an resident has a Hui Min Street in their heart. In addition to a variety of delicious foods, there are also many attractions to visit.
citywalk route:
📢Xi Wu Tai Yun Ju Temple——Xi Cang Flower and Bird Market——Site of Xi'an Bombing by Japanese Planes——Yan Gengyao's Former Residence Site——Da Xue Xi Alley Mosque——Du Chenghuang Temple——Yi Men
▪️Xi Wu Tai Yun Ju Temple
A temple hidden in the bustling city, built by Emperor Li Shimin in imitation of the Southern Five Terraces for his mother to worship. The temple was constructed using the remains of the Sui Daxing City and the southern wall of the Tang Chang'an City palace, forming a long strip without side halls.
Opening hours:
🔳The front courtyard is open every day from 8:00 to 17:00 for visitors.
🔳The newly repaired back courtyard is open on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month! It is the residence of monks and hosts meditation events.
Site of Xi'an Bombing by Japanese Planes
📍No. 23 Guangming Alley
In 1938, more than 20 Japanese planes bombed the center of Xi'an and the Da Xiao Pi Courtyard, dropping over 80 bombs and causing over 160 casualties. More than 160 houses and 4 mosques were destroyed. Today, the site is on the side of the street, with moss and grass growing on the roofs of the houses behind it.
Yan Gengyao's Former Residence Site
📍No. 93 Da Xue Xi Alley, next to Xi'an Baozi
The residence built over 300 years ago when Yan Gengyao was the governor of Sichuan and Shaanxi. The original three-entry courtyard is gone, leaving only a private residence that is not open to the public.
Da Xue Xi Alley Mosque
Open randomly, walked by at 18:20 and the door was open.
With a history of over 1300 years, the mosque has been preserved since its renovation during Zheng He's fourth voyage. The 'Zheng He Stele' is kept inside the mosque, and shorts and short skirts are prohibited.
Du Chenghuang Temple
One of the three major City God Temples in China, and the foremost in the northwest.
Passing through Fu Street, you can see the God of Wealth Hall.
In front of Yi Men, there are the Wen Chang and God of Wealth Halls, and next to the gate is the Tai Sui Hall. Behind Yi Men is a large stage, with the main hall in the center dedicated to the City God, and the Holy Mother Hall and Fire God Hall on the east and west sides. The Tai Sui guardian deity is also here.
fyralyn_8901
A secret place in Xi'an that 99% of people don't know about
This temple hidden in the bustling Sajin Bridge is actually a royal temple of the Tang Dynasty... The name of the temple is like its past and present life, living in the city without a touch of dust.
Yunju Temple is said to be built by Li Shimin for his mother's filial piety. He didn't want his mother to travel to the South Wutai to worship Buddha, so he built this temple according to the South Wutai.
The temple in the rainy day seems particularly quiet, sitting here for an afternoon, you can also listen to the evening class in the temple... All the troubles seem to have faded a lot
Tips: The front hall of the temple is usually open, and the back hall is open on the first and fifteenth of every month.
BRODIE HANSEN
The Royal Temple Hidden in the Bustling City | Yunju Temple
The low-key yet stunning "Royal High Platform Ancient Temple"
💫is hidden in the bustling ☞Sajin Bridge
👉🏻👉🏻It is -【 West Wutai Yunju Temple】
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✨It is said that it was built by Tang Taizong for his mother to conveniently worship Buddha
Because there are five high platforms, one higher than the other, hence the name, only three remain now
And it echoes with the South Wutai of Zhongnan Mountain, so it is called West Wutai.
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✔️The layout of the temple forms a grand palace group, which looks upright and strong, solemn and grand!
📷The temple architecture is magnificent, the environment is quiet, and it's super photogenic!
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West Wutai Yunju Temple
🏯Address| No. 162, Sajin Bridge, Lianhu District, Xi'an
🎫Ticket| Free🆓
🕰️Opening hours:
Front yard 8:00-11:00 in the morning; 2:30-5:00 in the afternoon
Backyard is open on the first and fifteenth of each month, but it closes early
🚗Transportation: Exit B of Sajin Bridge on Metro Line 1
🧸Nearby attractions: It is very suitable to be included in the Citywalk route to experience, nearby Guangren Temple, Lianhu Park, and the foodie Sajin Bridge can be linked together for a visit!
TravelerWithoutBorders
Hidden in the bustling area of Sajin Bridge is a thousand-year-old royal ancient temple
Previously, it was only open to the public on the first and fifteenth of every month, but now the side door is always open!
The ancient temple, which echoes with the South Wutai, is also known as the West Wutai! There are different sceneries before and after the main hall, wrapped by the hustle and bustle of Sajin Bridge! Only when you walk through the small alley and come in, you will find that this place is really a different world from the outside! Quiet, sunshine, chanting, ginkgo, golden light, ancient architecture, each place is a unique existence!
🅿️ Sajin Bridge Public Parking Lot
🎫 Free
⌚️08:00-17:00
🚇Walk straight from Sajin Bridge B exit, turn left at the intersection 80 meters away, turn right into the small alley (an inconspicuous alley, don't miss it), don't give up when you see the main door is not open, there is a side door on the right!
You can go to Wenshu from the south side of the main hall, the buildings before and after the hall are completely two styles, one is wrapped by gentle golden ginkgo, the other is a multi-layered Dizang platform for a distant view! The viewing platform is here, sighing at how deeply they are hidden in the bustling area!
Visitors should not disturb the masters, visit quietly and do not disturb!
Jetsetter Food Crawl
New Year Morning Prayer
After Chinese New Year Eve, people are going to this temple to prayer for good luck, money and love.
it's a very interesting temple, during the service there's a monk praying aloud and people follow. A good place to immerse in the Chinese culture.
#xian #temple
Getting There - Nearby station: 洒金桥 (SAJINQIAO- Line 1)
Attractions - Yunju Temple 🛕
Hotels -
Food & Restaurants - Snack Street around
Shopping -