Gaoli Temple, Buddhist temple near West Lake, Hangzhou, China
Gaoli Temple is a Buddhist temple in Hangzhou situated between Chishan Port and Yucen Hill. The grounds contain multiple halls in traditional Chinese style, with the complex centered around a large rotating sutra repository.
The temple was founded in 927 and took its name from a Korean prince who studied Buddhism there in 1085. This prince contributed religious texts and treasures that strengthened its role as a bridge between Chinese and Korean Buddhist communities.
The temple embodies a living connection between Chinese and Korean Buddhist traditions that visitors can observe in daily ceremonies and spiritual practices. This cultural bridge is expressed through the way monks conduct rituals and how pilgrims from both regions engage with the space.
Visitors can walk freely through multiple halls and courtyards to explore different areas of the complex. Early morning is the best time to visit when the air is fresh and fewer people are around.
At the heart of the temple sits the world's tallest rotating sutra repository made from Zhennan wood and decorated with gold leaf. This remarkable structure showcases rare craftsmanship and draws visitors interested in how Buddhist texts are housed and honored.
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