Donglin Temple

Jiangxi, People's Republic of China

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Find out more

OfficialOfficial website↗

Donglin Temple, a Buddhist monastery in Jiangxi province approximately 20 kilometres north of Jiujiang, was founded in 386 CE at the foot of Mount Lu by Huiyuan, the founder of Pure Land Buddhism. Built in traditional Chinese architectural style, the temple is renowned for its remarkable structural longevity. The monastery reached peak influence during the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE), when the doctrine spread to Japan through the missionary work of Jianzhen. Donglin Temple served as a vital conduit for cultural and religious exchange between China, Nepal, India, and Japan. The site suffered severe damage during the Taiping Rebellion and faced near-destruction during China's Republican period (1912–1949). It holds the status of a National Key Buddhist Temple in the Han Chinese Area.