LUOHAN TEMPLE

The close link with India and original Buddhism is very marked in this structure, whose Chinese name is derived from the Sanskrit Arhat, which refers to the phenomenon of exit from the cycle of reincarnation. The first building dates from the Song du Nord, under the reign of Emperor Zhiping, erected between 1064 and 1067. In 1885, during the Qing period, the monk Longfa was rebuilding the temple and carving new effigies on the model of Baoguang temple in Xindu near Chengdu. The antijaponaise war of the early 1940 s and the Cultural Revolution largely damaged the structure and treasures of the temple, which was renovated in 1986. The impressive driveway is named Zhiping in honour of the founding emperor of the site. There are many local worshippers to come, the popular atmosphere has been preserved. Good vegetarian restaurant.