Dafo or “Big Buddha Temple” can be reached by metro line 6 to Beijing Road Station or line 1 or line 2 to Gongyuanqian Station. Traffic around this area is heavy, metro might be the best choice.
Note: You can download either Baidu Maps or Amap and navigate through the buttons below. You can also directly order a taxi through the App. Learn more in this Guide.
Dafo Temple
The Dafo Temple, also known as the Big Buddha Temple, is a Buddhist sanctuary right in the middle of Guangzhou’s Yuexiu District, Guangdong, China.
Big Buddha Temple is a surprise in many sights. The first one being, that it comes unsuspected. You walk through the Beijing Road pedestrian streets, through brand and food stores, take a corner, and then boom! This temple is there. The second surprise it its size. It is massive, which ads to the effect of not expecting it in the area.
Although the surroundings are not very calm, if you enter the temple, you will find yourself in another world. Beautiful crafted religious site in the heart of Guangzhou old town.
Originating during the Southern Han dynasty (917–971) under Emperor Liu Yan’s patronage, it comes with history spanning over a millennium. Initially named Xinzang Temple, it flourished as one of the “Five Largest Temples of Guangzhou.” Despite facing destruction and decline during various dynastic eras, including the Ming and Qing periods, the temple experienced rejuvenation and expansion under the Kangxi Emperor’s reign in 1663, thanks to the efforts of Shang Kexi.
Known for its colossal copper Buddha statues and architectural heritage, including the majestic Mahavira Hall, the temple underwent successive transformations, serving as a governmental edifice during the late Ming dynasty and enduring tumultuous events like the Taiping Rebellion and the Cultural Revolution. However, in 1981, following the policy of religious freedom, the temple was restored as a Buddhist site, garnering recognition as a Municipality Protected Historic Site in 1993.
Today, under the leadership of figures like Master Guangming and Master Yaozhi, Dafo Temple continues to stand as a symbol of spiritual resilience and cultural heritage in modern China.
More information about Dafo Temple in Guangzhou can be found on the official Guangzhou website.
