Yingjiang Temple 迎江寺

About Yingjiang Temple

The seven-storey, octagonal pagoda is the clearest external landmark, with projecting eaves breaking up its brick-and-wood form. Inside the temple, the Heavenly Kings Hall and main Buddha hall lead into a sequence of worship spaces. The riverfront setting makes the tower especially prominent; access inside the pagoda and the temple halls should be checked separately when arriving.

Yingjiang Temple is also known as Huguo Yongchang Chan Temple (护国永昌禅寺) and Chi Jian Yingjiang Chan Temple (敕建迎江禅寺). Tradition holds it was founded in the seventh year of the Kaibao era (开宝), 974, but later scholarship attributes its construction to the Wanli era (万历) of the Ming, in 1619, when the gentleman Ruan Zihua (阮自华) built it as Huguo Yongchang Chan Temple; the name was inscribed the following year by Emperor Guangzong, in 1620. It was rebuilt in the seventh year of the Shunzhi era (顺治) of the Qing, in 1650, and renamed Chi Jian Yingjiang Chan Temple. It belongs to the Linji school (临济宗) of Chan Buddhism and has been called “the foremost monastery along the Yangtze” (中江第一刹).

The temple covers more than 20,000 square meters. Its gate carries a plaque reading “Yingjiang Temple” inscribed by the Guangxu Emperor, in which the character for “temple” (寺) is missing its dot. Two iron anchors flank the mountain gate, representing the city as a ship and the pagoda as its mast. Inside the Mahavira Hall hang gilded plaques bestowed by the Qianlong Emperor (乾隆) and Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后), inscribed “Shan Shizi Hou” (善狮子吼) and “Miao Ming Yuan Jing” (妙明园镜). The temple was designated a National Key Buddhist Temple in Han Chinese Area (汉族地区佛教全国重点寺院) by the State Council in 1983.

What to look for

• Zhenfeng Pagoda’s octagonal plan, seven storeys and projecting eaves.
• The Heavenly Kings Hall and main hall’s Buddhist statues.

Location & getting there

Getting to Yingjiang Temple

Use Yingjiang Temple at No 148 Yanjiang East Road in Anqing’s Yingjiang District. Approach from the public riverfront road and confirm the temple and pagoda visitor arrangements at the entrance.