Dafo Temple, Buddhist temple in Yuexiu District, Guangzhou, China
Dafo Temple is a Buddhist complex in central Guangzhou with multiple buildings and courtyards organized around a main shrine. The principal hall houses three large copper statues, while auxiliary structures provide living quarters and administrative spaces for the resident monastic community.
Founded as Xinzang Temple by Liu Yan of the Southern Han, it was renamed Futian'an in the Yuan and Longzang Temple in the Ming. Destroyed in 1649 during Shang Kexi's conquest, it was rebuilt in 1663–1664 with Vietnamese-donated nanmu wood and three 6-metre, 10-tonne copper Buddhas, which gave the temple its name.
The temple remains an active place of worship where visitors encounter monks performing daily rituals and prayers. The incense and chanting create a contemplative setting that draws both devotees and travelers through its halls.
The temple is easily accessible on foot and features open courtyards that welcome exploration. A vegetarian dining option is available on site, making it convenient for visitors who want to spend time there.
The three 6-metre, 10-tonne copper Buddhas now in the Mahavira Hall are recasts: the originals were cut apart by Red Guards in the Cultural Revolution, saved on Zhou Enlai's instruction, welded back together and moved to Liurong Temple in 1972, then replaced here by copies in 1984.
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