Famen Temple's underground crypt, opened in 1987 after thirteen centuries sealed shut, held one of the four finger-bone relics of the Buddha along with a large hoard of Tang-dynasty imperial gifts - gold and silver vessels, glassware, and silk. The modern complex built around it is dominated by a very tall stupa and a long processional approach, so this trip is really two experiences: the small original temple and crypt, and the oversized contemporary religious park built up around it.
Famen Temple, about 120 km west of downtown Xi'an in Fufeng County, is renowned for a relic believed to be a finger bone of the Buddha, discovered in the temple's underground crypt in 1987 along with a trove of Tang-dynasty gold, silver, and glassware buried alongside it. The scenic area combines the working Buddhist temple complex with a large modern museum displaying the excavated Tang treasures, and a towering modern stupa that has become a landmark visible well before arrival. A high-speed rail line connects Xi'an North Railway Station directly to Famen Temple Station in about an hour, with a free shuttle bus covering the final stretch to the temple gate, making this one of the more comfortable long-distance day trips from the city; an alternative route via Yangling South Station and a taxi is slightly faster in total travel time but requires arranging ground transport at the other end. Because the site sits well outside Xi'an's usual day-trip radius, most visitors treat it as a dedicated outing rather than pairing it with another major attraction, allowing several hours to see both the temple grounds and the museum's underground relic hall without rushing. The temple complex is active and observes normal etiquette expectations for a functioning place of worship, including modest dress.
| Distance | 120 km (75 miles) west of downtown Xi'an |
|---|---|
| Travel time | About 1-1.5 hours by high-speed train, plus a transfer |
| Getting there | High-speed train from Xi'an North Railway Station to Famen Temple Station: about 1 hour, followed by a free shuttle bus to the temple gate; alternatively a train to Yangling South Station (about 30 minutes) then a 35-40 minute taxi |
| Cost | $$ |
| Difficulty | easy |
| Address | Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area, Famen Town, Fufeng County, Baoji City, Shaanxi 722200 |
How to get there
- High-speed rail from Xi'an North to Famen Temple Station: ¥30-50 (~$4.22-7.03) second class one-way
- Free shuttle bus from Famen Temple Station to the temple entrance
- Taxi from Yangling South Station: approx ¥80-100 (~$11.25-14.06), 35-40 minutes
Suggested itinerary
- Morning: high-speed train from Xi'an North to Famen Temple Station, shuttle to the temple gate. Midday: temple grounds and stupa. Afternoon: underground relic museum. Evening: return train to Xi'an.
Location
Famen Temple Cultural Scenic Area, Famen Town, Fufeng County, Baoji City, Shaanxi 722200
34.4436, 107.7853 View on map
Highlights
- Relic believed to be a finger bone of the Buddha, discovered in the temple's underground crypt
- Museum displaying an extensive trove of excavated Tang-dynasty gold, silver, and glassware
- A towering modern stupa landmark visible from the approach
- Direct high-speed rail connection to Famen Temple Station with a free shuttle to the gate
- Combines a still-active Buddhist temple with a substantial archaeological museum
Tips for visiting
- Take the direct high-speed train to Famen Temple Station rather than transferring through Yangling for the simplest route
- Dress modestly, since the temple complex remains an active place of worship
- Allow several hours to see both the temple grounds and the underground relic museum without rushing
- Plan this as a dedicated day trip rather than combining it with another distant site, given the travel time
When to visit
March-May and September-November provide comfortable temperatures for walking the open temple grounds and museum complex.
Frequently asked questions
What makes Famen Temple significant?
Its underground crypt, discovered in 1987, contained a relic believed to be a finger bone of the Buddha along with an extensive collection of Tang-dynasty treasures, now displayed in the site's museum.
How do I get to Famen Temple from Xi'an?
The most direct route is a high-speed train from Xi'an North Railway Station to Famen Temple Station, about an hour, followed by a free shuttle bus to the temple entrance.
Is there a dress code for visiting?
As an active Buddhist temple, modest dress covering shoulders and knees is expected, similar to other functioning religious sites in China.