Quanzhou, due to its port status, has long been a bridgehead for maritime trade along the southwest coast, particularly during the Song and Yuan dynasties. This booming trade fostered opportunities for exchange between different nations, attracting a significant number of people from various countries to settle in Quanzhou. Consequently, various religious beliefs emerged and flourished, creating a religious landscape in Quanzhou where half the city is occupied by ordinary people and the other by the gods. Buddhism remains the most prominent of these, and the most famous Buddhist temple is Kaiyuan Temple.
Does the "Kaiyuan" in Kaiyuan Temple sound familiar? It derives from the reign title of Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, Li Longji—the Kaiyuan of the Kaiyuan Era! Kaiyuan Temple was first built in the early Tang Dynasty, over 1,400 years ago. It has been known by four names: first, Lotus Temple, then Xingjiao Temple, and later, Longxing Temple. Finally, after Emperor Xuanzong ascended the throne and mandated the construction of a Kaiyuan Temple in every prefecture across the country, the temple was renamed and remains in use today. Long ago, Kaiyuan Temple established its basic layout of two towers and one courtyard: twin towers in the east and west, with a central axis and main building complex.
Kaiyuan Temple is now free to visit. It has two main gates, the South Gate and the West Gate. Generally, you enter from the South Gate, first visiting the Zhenguo Pagoda on the east side, then the Hongyi Master Memorial Hall, and then the Main Hall and the Sutra Library. Finally, after visiting the Renshou Pagoda on the west side, exit the West Gate and take a ride on a small white car or continue strolling West Street. The recommended tour duration is one to one and a half hours, but you can allow more time for commuting. Whether it's the heavy traffic on the bus or taxi to the Bell Tower, or the difficult journey through West Street, it requires great patience and sufficient time. Otherwise, if you arrive at Kaiyuan Temple too late, you will miss the indoor exhibitions.