Guangji Temple is a Tang dynasty Buddhist complex on the shore of Mirror Lake, its main halls extensively restored but retaining the Zhe Pagoda, a Northern Song structure that is one of the more authentically aged buildings in Wuhu. The temple is active — monks are present, incense burns at the major shrines, and the devotional atmosphere is genuine rather than theatrical. The contrast between the polished new construction of the main halls and the weathered brick of the pagoda is striking and somewhat instructive about Chinese attitudes toward historical preservation.
The grounds extend to the lakefront, where a pavilion provides one of the better views across Mirror Lake. The temple is compact and can be covered in thirty to forty-five minutes, making it a natural combination with a circuit of the lake. Entrance requires removing shoes at the main gate — bring or buy a pair of temple slippers if you want to enter the inner halls.