Jiming Temple
Hilltop Buddhist temple overlooking Xuanwu Lake
No. 1 Jiming Temple Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
Jiming Temple (Jiming Si) is one of Nanjing's oldest and most beloved Buddhist temples, perched on a hilltop at the eastern edge of Xuanwu Lake with a history stretching back to the third century AD. The temple's elevated position provides sweeping views of the lake and the ancient city wall running below, and its combination of genuine spiritual activity, atmospheric architecture, and a famous vegetarian restaurant makes it one of the most satisfying temple visits in the city. Despite its antiquity, the atmosphere is warm and accessible rather than solemn.
Admission is around 10 yuan. The temple is open daily from 7:00am to 5:00pm.
Details
Temple Halls
The temple compound ascends the hillside through a sequence of courtyards and halls. The main Mahavira Hall houses golden Buddha statues and is the center of daily worship, with incense burning throughout the day and monks conducting regular chanting services. The Guanyin Hall and the Pilu Hall house additional Buddhist statuary. The architecture, while rebuilt at various points over the centuries, retains a warm, weathered character with wooden pillars, painted eaves, and carved details softened by age.
Views and the City Wall
The temple's hilltop position provides excellent views of Xuanwu Lake to the north and the Ming Dynasty city wall running along the ridge below. A section of the city wall is directly accessible from the temple area, and combining a temple visit with a walk along the wall ramparts is one of the best experiences in Nanjing. The viewpoint near the Pharmacy Pagoda (Yaoshita) at the rear of the temple grounds is particularly rewarding.
Vegetarian Restaurant
Jiming Temple's vegetarian restaurant, Baiwei Zhai, is one of the most famous dining experiences in Nanjing. The restaurant serves Buddhist-style vegetarian cuisine using tofu, mushrooms, and wheat gluten to create dishes that are both delicious and remarkably creative. The signature dish is the temple's vegetarian duck, which draws long queues. Arrive early, especially on weekends, as the restaurant is very popular.
Getting There
Address: No. 1 Jiming Temple Road, Xuanwu District, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China
**Jiming Temple Station** on Line 3 and Line 4 exits near the temple entrance. The temple is on the eastern edge of Xuanwu Lake, close to the Nanjing City Wall and within walking distance of the Nanjing Museum and the Presidential Palace area.
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Jiming Temple