Hongfu Temple

Hongfu Temple stands near the summit of Qianling Mountain, inside Qianling Mountain Park at 187 Zaoshan Road, Yunyan District, Guiyang, and is regarded as the largest Buddhist temple in Guizhou province, China. It was founded in 1672, in the early Qing dynasty, and remains an active monastery as well as a visitor attraction. The temple is built up the hillside in successive halls, with timber-framed roofs, carved eaves, incense burners and courtyards shaded by old trees. Visitors typically walk through the Hall of Heavenly Kings and the main hall, where gilded Buddha figures sit behind offerings of fruit and burning incense, and may see monks chanting or local worshippers lighting joss sticks, especially on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month and at festivals. Quiet behavior is expected inside the halls, and photography of worshippers or of the main images is best done discreetly or after asking, as some halls restrict it. Beyond the temple buildings, the terraces and paths around the complex offer some of the best views over Guiyang and the green hills around it, and the forest setting keeps the area cooler than the city in summer. Reaching the temple is part of the experience: the usual route is a 40 to 60 minute climb up stone steps from the park gate, passing wild macaques en route, while a cable car shortens the ascent, with its last ride at about 17:00. A visit of one to one and a half hours at the temple itself is typical, and most people combine it with the rest of the park for half a day. The temple is open daily from about 06:30 to 18:00, earlier than the park, so late-afternoon arrivals risk finding the halls closed. Entry costs around CNY 5 on top of the park fee. Mornings are best for atmosphere and light, while weekends and holidays, particularly around Lunar New Year, bring large crowds of worshippers and day visitors. Visitors should dress modestly, avoid pointing feet at images and keep voices low.