[2025 Xiamen Attraction] Travel Guide for Fantian Buddhist Temple (Updated May)

Brahma Temple·Don't miss this palace temple when you visit Xiamen!|||Go to Brahma Temple before the subway is open! Brahma Temple, Meishan Temple, and Huangfa Temple are known as the three major temples in Tong'an during the Sui Dynasty. The incense is no less than that of Nanputuo Temple, and it is indeed well-deserved! The temple is built symmetrically along the central axis, which is older than Nanputuo Temple! 🌟Mainly visit the following ancient buildings: 1⃣️Daxiong Hall: It is large in scale, and the wood structure, lacquer color and carving are very exquisite. 2⃣️Kuixing Pavilion: The most eye-catching building in the temple, there is a calligraphy and painting art gallery underneath, and the panorama is taken from the back mountain walkway in Liuyue Pavilion. It is very desolate to go further up, there are tombs, and it is not recommended to go further. 3⃣️Dabei Hall: The wood carvings of the palace, such as window flowers and hanging flowers, are very beautiful, and the platform is very suitable for taking pictures. 4⃣️Wen Gong Academy: There is a statue of Zhu Zi, which is very suitable for lovers of Zhu Zi's idealism. ·✈️Traffic guide: 🚌You can take the BRT to Tong'an Hub Station and transfer to the bus to Brahma Temple Station. 🚗Self-driving parking is convenient, and there are many parking spaces in the temple parking lot. 🚇The subway is still being dug, right at the entrance of the temple, it will be super convenient in the future. 📒Photo reminder: 1⃣️Try to take pictures at nine o'clock in the morning, the light is relatively soft and natural. It is recommended to take more Zen and aesthetic photos after 4 o'clock. 2⃣️Take a picture of Kuixing Pavilion and the temple from Daxiong Hall, which is very hierarchical and quite spectacular. 3⃣️The temple is a place for self-cultivation, please keep awe. The back mountain is full of weeds, don't run too far! Stop talking and stop! ·The cultural heritage of Brahma Temple is very deep and can be easily visited. After the subway is opened, more and more people will like the temple culture. The treasure must be seized.·

In Xiamen's Tongan district, there are several gems that carry a thousand years of history and culture: the Brahman towers. Two of them stand silently north of the bell tower in Fantian Temple on Dalun Mountain in Datong Town, while the other is safely enshrined in Meishan Temple. They were originally guardians of the Xi'an Bridgehead in Tongan District. As attached buildings of the Xi'an Bridge, they are also known as the Xi'an Bridge Towers. According to the Tongan County Chronicle, Xu Yi and Shi Zongding from Tongan County built the Xi'an Bridge during the Yuanyou period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1086–1094 AD), and used four stone towers to guard it, with two at each end of the bridge. As time passed, in 1957, on the suggestion of Zheng Zhenduo, they were moved to their current location for proper protection. The Brahman towers have a unique shape, with a three-story square stone solid tower, 4.68m high. The Sumeru base is 1.78m high, and the four sides are embossed with agile running animals. The Hercules reliefs in the four corners are lifelike, as if supporting the weight of the years with endless power. The Buddha statue reliefs on each side of the second floor are solemn and dignified, as if silently telling the compassion and wisdom of Buddhism. The four sides of the third floor show images of Buddhist stories, and the Garuda reliefs in the four corners of the tower body seem to be ready to spread their wings and fly, adding a mysterious atmosphere to the pagoda. Among the three Brahman towers that still exist in Tongan, the two in Fantian Temple are particularly eye-catching. One is well preserved, and although the other has a damaged spire, it is still difficult to conceal its historical weight. The reliefs on the four sides of the tower seem to tell the four Buddha stories of the Buddha's life: "First Dharma Wheel", "Subduing Demons and Attaining Enlightenment", seemingly "Love Horse Farewell" and "Disciples Mourning". Each relief is like a silent history book, recording the inheritance and development of Buddhist culture. Among the existing Treasure Chest Seal Sutra-style pagodas in Fujian, the Brahman towers of Fantian Temple can be regarded as rare and exquisite works. It is not only a model of architectural art, but also an important carrier of historical culture. For this reason, it is listed as the first batch of provincial-level cultural relics protection units in Fujian Province. When you approach the Brahman towers of Fantian Temple, you can feel the faith and piety of that era as if traveling through a thousand years of time. Every stone and every relief is telling the world an ancient story, waiting for those who are destined to listen.

#discoverchina Most visitors to Xiamen only know Nanputuo Temple, or they flock to Shishi Zen Temple because of its yellow walls and pear blossoms. But in Tong’an District, there's an even older and more majestic temple—Banten Temple, which was built 200 years earlier than Nanputuo! From certain angles, the temple and Kuixing Pavilion align perfectly, creating a truly breathtaking view. Standing at a distance, the atmosphere feels regal and awe-inspiring. [Attraction Info] Name: Fantian Temple Location: No. 99 Lunshan Road, Tong’an District, Xiamen, Fujian Province Getting There: By car or bus (Banten Temple Station) Admission: Free Parking: Free #travel #thingstodo

🚩Fantian Temple in Tong'an Fantian Temple is located on the southern slope of Dalun Mountain in Tong'an District, Xiamen. It is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Fujian Province, with a long history and rich cultural heritage. The history of Fantian Temple dates back to the first year of the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty (581 AD), when it was originally named Xingjiao Temple. After years of baptism and multiple reconstructions and repairs, it still stands tall, showing its unique charm to the world. When you step into Fantian Temple, the first thing that catches your eye is its majestic architecture that extends along the mountain. The main buildings, such as the Hall of the Diamond, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Mahavira Hall, and the Sutra Library, are arranged in order from bottom to top along the central axis, with a rigorous layout and magnificent momentum. The granite foundation of the Mahavira Hall is solid and stable, and the entire temple is perfectly integrated with the natural mountain, showing a magnificent atmosphere. There are many famous historical sites in the temple, among which the Brahmin Pagoda built in the Song Dynasty is particularly eye-catching. This three-story square stone pagoda, 4.6 meters high, is not only a beautiful stone sculpture but also a precious physical material for studying ancient religious history. It has been listed as the first batch of provincial cultural relics protection units. It stands quietly there, as if telling people stories of the past. 👏Recommended itinerary 1. Enter from the mountain gate and visit the Hall of the Diamond first to feel its solemn atmosphere. 2. Then go to the Hall of Heavenly Kings and admire the Buddha statues and decorations in the hall. 3. Then step into the Mahavira Hall, which is the core building of the temple and enshrines many Buddha statues. 4. Don't miss the Sutra Library to learn about the collection and preservation of Buddhist classics. 5. Go to the Brahmin Pagoda and carefully admire this ancient stone pagoda to appreciate its historical charm. 🍜Recommended food 1. Fried dates: crispy on the outside and glutinous on the inside, sweet but not greasy, with a variety of flavors to choose from. 2. Bowl cake: chewy texture, very delicious with special sauce. 3. Satay noodles: rich satay soup base with rich ingredients, endless aftertaste. 4. Large intestine blood: tender pig blood and crispy large intestine, fresh and delicious soup. 5. Thin pancakes: thin pancakes wrapped with various vegetables and fillings, refreshing and delicious. ⚠️Notes 1. Please keep quiet when entering the temple and respect religious beliefs and customs. 2. Do not smoke, make loud noises, or litter in the temple. 3. Pay attention to the protection of cultural relics and ancient buildings, and do not touch or damage them at will. I hope this guide will help you have a good time at Fantian Temple!

🪷 Brahma Zen Temple holds a unique position in Xiamen, it's a pity that its location is a bit remote, and it's not as famous as the Nanputuo Temple on the island. 🚇 Currently, a subway is being constructed at the entrance of Brahma Temple, and a Brahma Square has been built between the temple gate and the subway. It should be much livelier once completed. ⛩️ I took the small path on the right side of Brahma Square to get here, and I was particularly fond of the small pavilions along the way, with their beautiful glazed decorations on the eaves. 🛕 The area right in front of the entrance to Brahma Temple consists of temples that have been newly built in recent years, similar in structure to Nanputuo Temple. Behind the temples, there is a pagoda, which is the landmark building of Brahma Temple. 🔔 I prefer to enter and turn right, moving away from the central axis to see the very old bell tower, whose roof still retains its glazed decorations. Inside, you can see the hanging bronze bell overhead. 🐢 Behind the bell tower, on the stairs, there is a dried-up life release pond, next to which is the Brahman Buddhist Pagoda. The Brahman Buddhist Pagoda was originally the bridge-guarding pagoda of Xianqiao in Tong'an. There were two pagodas on each side of Xianqiao, four in total, but now only two intact pagodas and one remaining pagoda are left. The other intact pagoda is preserved in the neighboring Meishan Temple, and the remaining pagoda is right next to this one. The base and spire of the pagoda have been damaged, leaving only the second layer of the pagoda intact. 📝 It is said that the four Brahman Buddhist Pagodas were identical in shape, each 4.5 meters tall and made of solid stone. The base of the pagoda has four legs, and at each corner of the base, there is a dwarf crouching. On each side of the second layer, which is a cross-shaped base, there is a relief of a Buddha sitting on a lotus. Each corner of the pagoda body is carved with a winged mythical creature, and the reliefs on all four sides are based on Buddhist stories, vivid and lifelike. The upper part of the stone pagoda has five layers of wheels, and the tip of the pagoda is shaped like a gourd. 🪨 Many areas next to the Brahman Buddhist Pagoda are undeveloped open spaces, which are likely to be the site of the former temple foundations of Brahma Temple. On the small path behind the temple, there are some stones with inscriptions, but unfortunately, they are too old to be deciphered. 🥣 I couldn't find a place for vegetarian meals, so I came back hungry...