Yongquan Temple

Yongquan Temple sits high on the forested slopes of Gushan (Drum Mountain), about 9 km east of Fuzhou's city centre. It is one of the most important Buddhist temples in Fujian — active, well-maintained, and surrounded by forested trails. The main complex includes several halls built in Song dynasty style with later restorations, and the grounds contain two Song-era pagodas.

The approach involves either a cable car from the base of the mountain or a steep walk through the woods — both are rewarding. The temple has a sizeable resident monastic community and is genuinely busy with Chinese pilgrims year-round. The gardens around the complex are planted with ancient trees, and on a clear day the views across the city from the upper slopes are excellent.

things to do sight
A story
Yongquan Temple was founded in 908 CE and has never been burned or destroyed — an almost unique distinction among Chinese temples. A spring beneath the main hall gives the temple its name (yongquan means "gushing spring"), and the sound of water flowing under the floorboards is audible in the main hall during quiet moments.