Temple of the Six Banyan Trees

The Temple of the Six Banyan Trees is a Buddhist temple in Guangzhou featuring a distinctive Flower Pagoda that rises 57 meters (187 feet) tall with eight sides and nine tiers. The complex contains multiple prayer halls, a pagoda open to visitors, and several courtyards displaying traditional Chinese architectural design.

The temple was founded in 537 during the Liang Dynasty, making it one of the oldest sites in the city. It received its current name from the renowned poet Su Shi during the Song Dynasty, who left inscribed characters at the entrance that gave the place its lasting identity.

The temple remains an active place of worship where visitors can observe monks going about their daily routines and explore the quiet courtyards filled with incense smoke. The spiritual practices visible here reflect how Buddhism continues to shape daily life for many in the city.

Visitors can climb the pagoda via internal stairs that lead to different levels, offering views across the city. Information displays in multiple languages help explain the temple's layout and the Buddhist traditions practiced here.

The main prayer hall houses one of the largest ancient bronze Buddha statues in the region, installed in 1983 and still an impressive work of art today. This statue often goes unnoticed by visitors focused on the pagoda above, yet it represents an important artistic addition to the complex.