Atlas of China
Zijin Nunnery 紫金庵Zǐjīn Ān
National heritage site · Suzhou, Jiangsu
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Days to budget
- Half a day
- City
- Suzhou
- Region
- Jiangsu
- Type
- Heritage
- Listed as
- National heritage site
About Zijin Nunnery
A small Buddhist temple in the hills of the Dongshan peninsula, its present halls built in the Ming and Qing, whose main hall is filled with painted clay figures of Buddhas, Guanyin, guardian kings and celestial beings. Its sixteen arhats, each shown with a different pose and expression, are recorded as the work of the Southern Song sculptor Lei Chao and his wife. It is one of the named sights of the Lake Tai scenic area on Dongshan.
How to get to Zijin Nunnery
In the hills about 3 km south-west of Dongshan town and 40 km south-west of central Suzhou by road; it was closed for conservation work in late 2024, so check that it has reopened before going.
Nearby
- Wuzhen Water Town 乌镇 40 km
Stone bridges and lantern-lit canals in a water town that's best after dark - Classical Gardens of Suzhou 苏州园林 40 km
Whole landscapes of rock, water and pavilion folded into a city block - Zhouzhuang 周庄古镇 40 km
Jiangnan's most famous water town, famed for its Twin Bridges and merchant halls
Also within 20 km: Dongshan Ming Residences (Mingshan Hall) 东山民居 (under 10 km), Xuanyuan Temple, Dongshan 轩辕宫 (under 10 km), Carved Building (Chunzai Lou) 雕花楼 (under 10 km), Lake Tai Scenic Area, Wuzhong (Dongshan, Qionglong & Wangshan) 吴中太湖旅游区 (under 10 km), Xishan Island 西山 (under 10 km), Taihu Lougang Waterways (Yigao) 太湖溇港 (20 km).
On the map
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