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Why Visit Yongfu Temple
While millions of visitors flock to Lingyin Temple each year, only a fraction continue up the hillside path to discover Yongfu Temple — and that is precisely what makes it so special. Tucked into the forested slopes of the Northern Peak, Yongfu offers everything Lingyin does (ancient halls, incense-filled courtyards, Buddhist statuary) but with a fraction of the crowds and ten times the tranquility.
Founded during the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317–420 AD), Yongfu Temple has been a center of Zen Buddhist practice for over 1,600 years. Unlike Lingyin's grand, tourist-oriented layout, Yongfu feels intimate and lived-in — monks still reside here, and the temple maintains a working tea garden on its upper terraces. The architecture cascades up the hillside in a series of terraced courtyards, each revealing a new vista of the surrounding forest and, on clear days, glimpses of West Lake far below.
The temple is dedicated to Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, and several halls contain exquisite wooden carvings and statues that rival anything at Lingyin. The main hall's ceiling is painted with intricate mandalas, and the side halls house collections of Buddhist scriptures and calligraphy. For travelers seeking an authentic spiritual experience rather than a checkbox attraction, Yongfu Temple is Hangzhou's best-kept secret.
💡 Insider Tip
Visit on a weekday morning (arrive by 8:00 AM) and you may have entire courtyards to yourself. The light filtering through the ancient camphor trees at this hour is magical — bring your camera.
The Tea Garden & Hillside Pavilions
One of Yongfu's most enchanting features is its working tea garden, terraced into the hillside above the main temple complex. Rows of Longjing tea bushes — the same cultivar that produces China's most famous green tea — grow in neat lines, tended by monks who have maintained this tradition for centuries. Visitors are welcome to walk among the terraces, and the views back toward the temple roofs with the forested valley beyond are spectacular.
Scattered along the hillside paths are several pavilions and viewing platforms where you can sit and absorb the atmosphere. The highest pavilion, reached by a short but steep stone staircase, offers a panoramic view that stretches from the temple complex all the way to the skyscrapers of downtown Hangzhou on clear days. This is an ideal spot for quiet contemplation — or simply catching your breath after the climb.
Near the tea garden, the temple operates a small vegetarian cafe serving simple but delicious noodles (素面, sù miàn) for around ¥20–30 per bowl. The noodles are handmade, the broth is light and fragrant, and eating them on the wooden terrace with a view of the tea bushes is one of those small travel moments that stays with you long after you leave.
How to Visit
Yongfu Temple is accessed through the Lingyin Scenic Area. You must purchase a Lingyin Scenic Area entrance ticket (¥75) to enter the broader complex, which includes Feilai Peak (飞来峰), the grottoes, and access to both Lingyin Temple and Yongfu Temple. Note that Lingyin Temple itself requires an additional ¥30 ticket, but Yongfu Temple does not charge a separate entrance fee.
From the main Lingyin entrance, follow the signs toward Lingyin Temple. Just before reaching Lingyin's main gate, you will see a smaller path branching off to the right, marked with signs for 永福寺. The walk from the entrance to Yongfu takes about 10–15 minutes along a gently climbing stone path through dense forest. The path itself is beautiful — moss-covered rocks, trickling streams, and the sound of temple bells drifting through the trees.
Getting there: Take Bus 7, 807, or Tourist Bus Y1/Y2 to the Lingyin bus terminus. From downtown Hangzhou (near West Lake), a taxi or Didi costs approximately ¥30–40 and takes about 25 minutes.
Combine with Lingyin for a Perfect Half-Day
The ideal itinerary is to visit Lingyin Temple first (arrive at opening time, 7:00 AM, to beat the tour groups), then walk up to Yongfu Temple around 8:30–9:00 AM. This way you experience Lingyin before it gets crowded and arrive at Yongfu just as the morning light is at its best.
After exploring Yongfu and having vegetarian noodles at the cafe, you can either return the way you came or continue hiking up into the Northern Peak trails if you are feeling energetic. The full loop — Lingyin, Yongfu, and a short forest hike — makes for an excellent half-day excursion that combines Hangzhou's most famous temple with its most peaceful one.
🌱 Pro Tip: Temple Etiquette
Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees), speak quietly, and avoid pointing at Buddha statues. Photography is generally permitted in outdoor areas but avoid using flash inside the halls. If you see monks in prayer, give them space and do not interrupt.
Practical Tips
- Wear comfortable shoes — the temple involves climbing stone steps and walking on uneven paths.
- Bring water — there are limited vendors inside the temple grounds, though the cafe sells drinks.
- Allow 1–1.5 hours for a relaxed visit including the tea garden and pavilion viewpoints.
- Best season: Spring (March–May) when the tea bushes are bright green, or autumn (October–November) for golden foliage.
- Restrooms are available near the temple entrance and near the cafe.