Zhanshan Temple (湛山寺), located in Qingdao, is a symbol of the city’s historical and cultural blend, offering visitors a glimpse into its spiritual life and rich past. The temple was established in the early 20th century when two influential figures noticed that while Qingdao had Catholic churches, it lacked a Chinese-style temple. With the support of the mayor and generous donations, the temple was built, marking the beginning of its rich legacy.
Opening Hours and Ticket Prices
- Weekdays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Lunar New Year (1st & 15th): 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Ticket Price: ¥10
- Reservations: No need to book in advance, tickets can be purchased on-site via QR code.
How to Get There
- Metro:
- Line 3 to Yan’an 3rd Road Station, Exit A (10-minute walk)
- Line 2 to Zhiqiao Road Station, Exit C (10-minute walk)
- Parking: It is not recommended to drive due to limited parking availability.
Dining at the Temple: Vegetarian Delights
Zhanshan Temple is famous for its vegetarian meals, offering a variety of healthy, delicious options. The temple provides both noodles and buns at specific times, with crowds often flocking to try these meals.
- Vegetarian Noodles (素面):
- Available from 9:30 AM – 1:00 PM on weekends, and from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM on other days.
- Recommended Dish: Guanyin Noodles (观音面) – The broth is rich and savory, made with mushrooms and fragrant bamboo shoots. The dish can be refilled with more noodles.
- Vegetarian Buns (包子):
- Available from 11:00 AM, ¥5 for 3 buns (1 red bean paste bun and 2 vegetarian buns).
- Note: The noodle and bun queues are separate, and it can get crowded, especially during peak times (Lunar New Year and temple festivals).
Prayer Tips at Zhanshan Temple
The temple offers a range of prayer halls and sacred areas where visitors can pray for different blessings:
- Daxiong Hall (大雄宝殿): For career success and financial luck.
- Guanyin Hall (观音殿): For love and marriage wishes.
- Wenshu Hall (文殊殿): For academic success and wisdom.
- Yaoshi Tower (药师塔): For health and well-being.
- Tip: When praying for health, walk three circles around the Yaoshi Tower in a clockwise direction.
- Century Morning Bell (世纪晨钟): Strike the bell three times to relieve your worries.
Additional Tips for Visitors
- Photography: Visitors are allowed to take photos in the temple, but please refrain from photographing inside the halls or directly facing the Buddha statues.
- Incense: You can collect three incense sticks for free at the entrance to offer your prayers.
- Merchandise: The temple’s Dharma goods area sells 福袋 (good luck bags) and prayer beads. The bag costs ¥20 each, and you can write your name and wish on the bag, which can either be taken home or hung within the temple. Please note that these bags cannot be hung on trees.
- Spring Scenery: Zhanshan Temple is famous for its large collection of lilacs and magnolias, making it a perfect spot for a springtime visit. The friendly pigeons roaming around the temple are also a treat for nature lovers.