This Zen; or Chan; Buddhist temple; is the oldest in Guangzhou; dating back to the Eastern Jin dynasty (265 - 420 CE). It was originally built around 400 CE by an Indian monk. Hui Neng; the Sixth Patriarch of Zen Buddhism; served as a novice monk here in the 600s.

Most of the present structures date back to 1832; the time of the last big renovation. The Great Hall; with its impressive pillars; is still architecturally interesting. There are two pagodas behind the hall: the stone Yifa Pagoda built in 676 on top of a hair of Hui Neng; and the Song-dynasty Eastern Iron Pagoda; made of gilt iron. Pictures From Asia David Henley