GUIYUAN TEMPLE

Established in 1658 under the Qing Dynasty, this vast temple (over 4 hectares) is one of the province's four major places of worship. Guiyuan If, or Temple of original Purity, refers to a passage of the Buddhist texts: " All doors will open in a pure spirit. " This set in Qing style, which has been rehabilitated several times during history (last renovation, at the end of 1980), comprises over 200 rooms. The numerous green spaces set in the temple's enclosure contribute to this atmosphere of tranquillity, which naturally calls for meditation. One of the main pieces of the temple was the hall of 500 arhats, which helped Buddha to put his words in writing and thus allowed the transmission of doctrine. A huge statue of Buddha is located behind the temple, in the open air, on a spot that hésite between the vague terrain and the parking lot.