Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

One of the most famous monuments of Guangzhou is the ancient Buddhist temple complex of the Six Banyan Trees. It was built in 537 during the reign of Emperor Datong, a representative of the Liang dynasty. The original name of the temple was different – it was called Baozhuangyan, or “Temple of the Precious Shrine”. The name was changed after the temple was rebuilt in 989 when it suffered a severe fire.

In 1100, during a visit to Guangzhou, a poet named Su Shi, aka Su Dongpo, visited the temple and dedicated a short poem called "Six Banyan Trees". Banyan really grew on the territory of the temple, the local landscape made a great impression on the poet. Since then, the poet’s catchphrase has been firmly attached to the name of the temple, and it has been called the Temple of the Six Banyan Trees.

A major reconstruction of the temple was carried out in 1875, and in 1931 most of the wooden buildings were replaced by stone. On the territory of the temple complex you can see the pavilions with gilded Buddha statues, gazebos and grottoes. Several banyan trees also grow here. True, these are not the trees that remember the foundation of the temple, but they are also very old.

The main attraction of the temple complex is one of the highest pagodas in China - 57-meter Pagoda of Flowers, numbering 17 floors.