Shaolin Temple 少林寺Shàolín Sì

The cradle of Chan Buddhism and kung fu, at the foot of Mount Song

Best time: Apr–May, Sep–Oct
Time needed: Most of a day
Days to budget: 1 day
Stay in: Dengfeng
Region: Henan
Type: Culture
Listed as: 5A scenic area, National heritage site, UNESCO World Heritage

Why go to Shaolin Temple

Founded in 495 at the foot of Mount Song, the Shaolin Temple is revered as a cradle of Chan (Zen) Buddhism and the home of Shaolin kung fu. Catch a martial-arts performance, walk among the hundreds of brick tomb pagodas of the Pagoda Forest, and hike or ride the cable car into the Shaoshi peaks behind.

The story

Legend says the Indian monk Bodhidharma sat facing the wall of a cave above the temple for nine years. In 621 a band of Shaolin monks fought for Li Shimin, the future Tang emperor Taizong, against a rival warlord, and the temple's martial reputation grew from there.

What to see at Shaolin Temple

Shaolin Temple hall complex 少林寺: The temple's gates and courtyards, with the Thousand Buddha Hall holding a large fresco of the five hundred arhats paying homage to Vairocana.
Pagoda Forest 塔林: More than 220 brick and stone memorial pagodas of monks on a slope a few hundred metres west of the temple.
Chuzu Hermitage 初祖庵: A Song-dynasty hall built to commemorate Bodhidharma's wall-gazing.
Bodhidharma's Cave 达摩洞: The cave on the hill behind the temple, traditionally the place where Bodhidharma meditated facing the wall for nine years.

How to visit Shaolin Temple

Start at the temple halls, which follow a north–south axis and take about an hour, then walk west to the Pagoda Forest. The Chuzu Hermitage and Bodhidharma's Cave lie to the north, the hermitage about 1.3 km from the temple, so allow extra time and energy for them. A half-day visit covers the temple, the pagodas and the hermitage.

How to get to Shaolin Temple

The temple is about 15 km north-west of Dengfeng; Zhengzhou, the nearest major high-speed rail hub, is around 1.5 hours away by bus or car.

Where to stay

Stay in Dengfeng town for the widest choice, or in the guesthouses along the road to the temple gate if you want an early start before the tour groups.

What to eat

Shaolin vegetarian meal 少林素斋: Monastic-style dishes of bean products, fungi and vegetables, served at vegetarian restaurants near the temple.
Shaolin vegetarian cake 少林素饼: A plain baked cake sold around the temple, in keeping with the monastery's vegetarian tradition.

Tips for visiting Shaolin Temple

Time your visit for one of the daily kung fu demonstrations near the entrance.
Climb the path to Bodhidharma's Cave above the temple for quiet and views.
The sites are spread out, so use the electric shuttle from the gate to save your legs.

Nearby

White Horse Temple 白马寺 40 km
China's first Buddhist temple, with Thai, Indian and Burmese halls beside it
Longmen Grottoes 龙门石窟 40 km
Some 100,000 Buddhas carved into riverside cliffs, watched over by a serene giant
Henan Museum 河南博物院 70 km
Zhengzhou's treasure house of Central Plains bronzes, jades and Neolithic finds
Huangcheng Xiangfu 皇城相府 120 km
A walled hillside estate of courtyards, towers and gardens built by a family of officials

Also within 30 km: Yongtai Temple 永泰寺 (under 10 km), Shaoshi Que Gates 少室阙 (under 10 km), Huishan Temple 会善寺 (under 10 km), Qingliang Temple, Dengfeng 清凉寺 (under 10 km), Sanzu Hermitage Pagoda 三祖庵塔 (under 10 km), Songyue Pagoda 嵩岳寺塔 (under 10 km).

On the map

Open Shaolin Temple on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Open Shaolin Temple on the map