based on 795 reviewsNanputuo Temple is adjacent to Xiamen University and backed by Wulao Peak. As a millennium-old monastery with thriving incense in southern Fujian, many travelers arrange to visit both sites on the same day. The temple was first built in the late Tang Dynasty, underwent several rises and declines, and was rebuilt by Marquis Jinghai Shi Lang during the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty. It enshrines Guanyin Bodhisattva and is located south of Mount Putuo in Zhejiang, hence the name "Nanputuo Temple." On one side of the temple stands the Southern Fujian Buddhist College, founded in 1925, which is one of China's modern Buddhist institutions with a long educational history.
The temple's east and west mountain gates stand close to each other. Entering through them, visitors first encounter the liberation pond and lotus pond, where turtles bask on rocks and stone pagodas stand by the water. The main halls ascend along the central axis with the mountain's slope, arranged in sequence as the heavenly king hall, main hall of the great hero, great compassion hall, and scripture repository: the heavenly king hall enshrines a perpetually smiling Maitreya at its center, with Skanda standing behind holding his vajra staff; the main hall of the great hero houses the buddhas of the three periods, while the three western saints stand behind it; the great compassion hall, built on a high stone platform, is an octagonal wooden pavilion with triple flying eaves, containing four guanyin statues facing cardinal directions—three being 48-armed guanyin exquisitely crafted; the scripture repository safeguards Buddhist artifacts including the blood-written Lotus Sutra from the Wanli era and a white porcelain guanyin by renowned Ming dynasty ceramic artist He Chaozong. Bell and drum towers flank the courtyard, while the arhat hall displays eighteen arhats arranged on either side.
The temple grounds preserve numerous cliff inscriptions by notable figures, with the massive carved "Buddha" character by monk Zhenhui from the Qing dynasty on the rear cliff being particularly striking—often drawing travelers to pause for photos. For mountain hiking, ascend the stone steps behind the temple to Wulao Peak, where "Five elders piercing the clouds" ranks among Xiamen's eight great views as designated in the Qing dynasty, offering summit vistas over Xiamen University and seascapes. Alternatively, touring the temple's main halls requires little time if skipping the climb.
For vegetarian meals, you can visit the temple's vegetarian restaurant. Haihui Lou and Puzhao Lou are both garden-style dining buildings. Nanputuo vegetarian cuisine is highly renowned in Xiamen. One signature dish, "Half-moon sinking in the river," features mushrooms and gluten in a soup with a "half-moon" submerged in the broth. It earned this elegant name in the 1960s after being tasted by Guo Moruo. Before leaving, consider taking some Nanputuo vegetarian cakes, available in both sweet and savory flavors. Fillings like mung bean, coconut, and pumpkin are particularly popular, making them famous souvenirs from Xiamen.












Other visitors' reviews of Nanputuo Temple
Show More ReviewsThere weren't many people at Nanputuo Temple on the weekend, and the free incense at the entrance was a thoughtful touch. The temple buildings were simple and clean, and climbing the steps offered views of Xiamen University and the sea. The path was shaded by trees, providing coolness from the sun. I bought some vegetarian pastries, which were light and not greasy. Overall, it was a relaxing and comfortable experience.