Kaiyuan Temple is the largest Buddhist complex in Fujian and the spiritual anchor of Quanzhou's old town. Founded in 686 CE during the Tang dynasty, it covers 78,000 square metres and encompasses the main hall — supported by 86 stone pillars, some of them repurposed from earlier Hindu temples — a mulberry garden, and the famous twin pagodas that have stood above the city for nearly eight hundred years.
The main Mahavira Hall is one of the finest surviving examples of Song-dynasty Buddhist architecture in China, particularly the corbelling system under the eaves and the stone pillar bases that show traces of the original Hindu design they were adapted from. The temple is an active monastic site with hundreds of resident monks; the morning chanting services can be attended by visitors if you arrive early. Plan at least two hours for the full complex. It is UNESCO-inscribed as part of the Quanzhou maritime heritage sites.