The Low-Key Ancient Temple with 600 Years of History

How many have heard of Baiyun Temple? Located in Xinjin, Chengdu, this ancient temple was originally named "Baiyun Crossing" and was first built in the third year of the Hongwu era (1371) during the Ming Dynasty, boasting a history of 643 years. Legend has it that during the late Yuan and early Ming dynasties, a young man named Fang Yuan, longing for his mother, encountered a mystical experience at Baiyun Crossing and became a monk under the dharma name Puen. He built a humble temple here to enshrine Guanyin (the Goddess of Mercy). During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Baiyun Temple flourished as a center of Buddhist culture in Sichuan. However, after enduring wars and upheavals, the temple was repurposed as a school post-liberation and suffered destruction during the Cultural Revolution. It wasn’t until 1997, with support from the government and devotees, that Baiyun Temple was reconstructed. The consecration of the Jade Buddha Hall in 1999 finally restored it to the form we see today. Nestled against Mount Muma in the back and facing the Willow River in the front, the temple is embraced by the Azure Dragon and White Tiger mountains on either side, forming an auspicious feng shui layout: "Azure Dragon to the left, White Tiger to the right, Vermilion Bird in front, and Black Tortoise behind." Spanning 72 acres, Baiyun Temple follows traditional monastic architecture, with its main structures—the Mountain Gate Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Guanyin Hall—arranged harmoniously amid yellow walls, gray tiles, and lush greenery, evoking the poetic imagery of "an ancient temple hidden in deep mountains." Two iconic statues stand out in particular: a towering 9.9-meter golden statue of Amitabha Buddha atop Mount Muma, gazing down at the winding Willow River below, and a 7-meter-high bronze statue of Guanyin holding a purification vase, radiating compassion. When sunlight pours over them, the statues shimmer with golden light, as if bathed in divine radiance. These two statues, one high and one low, create a striking visual spectacle. The temple’s structures ascend along a central axis, forming a 1.2-kilometer path from the Mountain Gate Hall to the golden Amitabha statue at the summit. The upturned eaves and painted brackets of the Mountain Gate Hall reflect the rustic charm of Ming Dynasty architecture. Inside, the walls are carved with the "Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars" stories, while corridor murals depict the life of the Buddha, blending traditional filial piety with Buddhist culture into a unique artistic landscape. From the summit of Mount Muma, visitors can take in panoramic views, occasionally witnessing planes from Shuangliu Airport soaring past the Buddha statue, creating a surreal scene of "Buddha’s light reflecting on aircraft"—a favorite subject for photographers. As mountain breezes whisper by, the noise of the city fades, leaving only inner tranquility and nature’s resonance. The temple offers vegetarian meals (¥10 per person) daily at 11:30 AM in its dining hall, while the tea house serves plain tea (¥5) and floral tea (¥10). Whether for prayer, wishes, or quiet contemplation, Baiyun Temple is an ideal retreat for urban dwellers seeking spiritual solace. As the temple’s couplet reads: *"Watching clouds over Mount Muma, appearing and vanishing—such is illusion; Entering the temple to seek truth, practice and realization require effort."* Whether climbing to admire the landscape or sitting in meditation, Baiyun Temple exudes serenity. When lost in the concrete jungle, step into this sanctuary, where incense curls and chants linger, to rediscover long-lost peace and wisdom. Address: No. 1, Liuhe Road, Xinjin District