King Asoka Temple Guide

Situated on Asoka Mountain, King Asoka Temple is 20 kilometers away from the urban area of Ningbo City. It is famous for the pagoda of the Buddhist relics in the whole world as well as in China. Originally built during the Western Jin Dynasty, the temple is with a history of more than 1700 years. It is the only existing temple which is named after the Indian King Asoka within China.
King Asoka TempleKing Asoka Temple covers an area of 80 thousand square meters, within which there are more than 600 halls and pavilions, taking the area of 14000 square meters. For its large scale and long history, the temple has been one of the holy Buddhist temples in China since the Song Dynasty and well known for the role it played in the popularity of Buddhism in East Asia.

The Buddha's Relics HallThe King Asoka Temple was constructed relying on the mountain. The main part the temple consists of the Heavenly King Hall, the Grand Hall, the Buddha’s Relics Hall, and the Hall of Buddhist Sutra. All the architectures there are designed in old and original manner, combining the art of gardening, painting, and engraving together.
Stone Pagoda for the Buddha's RelicsThere are seven rooms in the Heavenly King Hall, which is 30.36 meters wide and 18.20 meters deep. The three halls are all with double eaves and gabbled roofs. The Buddha’s Relic Hall is the most outstanding one among all the buildings. With golden glazed tiles covered on the roof, the hall is resplendent and magnificent. The Buddha’s relic is placed in the seven-storey stone pagoda in the hall, which makes the hall mysterious. The stone sculptures of Four Heavenly Guardians in the back of the temple and the brick carving of the “Sixteen Princes”, which are vivid, attracts many people from home and abroad.

There are many scenic spots and historical sites near King Asoka Temple. A stone pavilion named Fodao (Buddha has come) Pavilion on a big stone on which it is said that Kasyapa Buddha  stepped with his left foot. Under the pavilion, there stands a big stone named Sunyan Stone, on which more than ten people can sit together. Another scenic spot is the legendary Seven Buddha Pool, where seven Buddhists were said to have once bathed. Water in the pool is very deep, and the ambience here is quiet and secluded. It is really a good cool place for people to spend the summer.
King Asoka Temple
Location: Wuxiang Town of Yinzhou District, Ningbo City
Admission fee: RMB 5
Opening hours: 6:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Transportation: you can take bus No. 554, 362, 557, 558, and 559 to get at Yuwang Stop, or take minibuses from Ningbo East Bus Station to Chaiqiao  and Baifeng Dock

• Tianyi Square
• Qing'an Assembly Hall
• King Asoka Temple