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Built in the Western Jin Dynasty, the Ashoka Temple, known as one of the "Six Wonders and Eight Auspicious Places," has consistently been ranked among the Five Mountains of Zen Buddhism. It is the only extant thousand-year-old temple in China named after Ashoka. The temple houses a world-renowned stupa containing the Buddha's relics. The temple also boasts the province's only two remaining Yuan Dynasty pagodas, as well as inscriptions from the Tang, Song, Ming, Qing, Republican, and modern periods. Among these, the "Ashoka Temple Permanent Field Stele," the "Chenkui Pavilion Stele," and the "Miaoxi Spring Inscription" are particularly valuable.
Attractions Location: No. 1999, Wuxiang East Road, Minglun Village, Baozhuang, Wuxiang Town, Yinzhou District, Ningbo City, Zhejiang Province
Tickets: free
Opening hours:
07:00-16:00 (Monday-Sunday, January 1st-December 31st)
Official phone number: Ticketing Inquiry
0574-88488998; 0574-88383421
Transportation:
You can take Bus No. 107-1, 155, 162, 750 or 759 to Yuwang Station and walk to the destination.
Time reference: 1-3 hours
If you only have one day, focus on Ningbo’s famous Ashoka Temple, one of the oldest Buddhist temples in China, and nearby attractions.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Ningbo city center near Tianyi Square. Try Ningbo specialties: Ningbo tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), steamed yellow croaker, and seafood hotpot.
Souvenirs: Buddhist prayer beads from Ashoka Temple, Ningbo rice dumplings, and local calligraphy sets from Tianyige.
Two days allow for deeper exploration of Ningbo’s Buddhist culture and historic spots.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Ningbo downtown. Sample lake fish dishes and Ningbo-style braised bamboo shoots.
Souvenirs: Buddhist incense, Dongqian Lake tea, hand-carved wood Buddha statues.
Three days let you balance temple visits with nature and culture in Ningbo.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Old Bund area boutique hotels. Try western-Chinese fusion restaurants or fresh river seafood.
Souvenirs: Ningbo port-themed crafts, silk scarves, maritime ceramic models.
With four days, you can combine temple visits with mountain and cultural landscapes outside Ningbo.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Ningbo or a mountain eco-lodge. Try mountain-grown tea and wild vegetable dishes.
Souvenirs: Siming Mountain tea, bamboo crafts, mountain herbs.
Five days allow for temple visits, Ningbo city culture, and nearby water-town experiences.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Cicheng boutique inns or back in Ningbo city. Try Cicheng snacks: fried bean curd rolls, sweet rice cakes.
Souvenirs: Cicheng wood carvings, hand-painted ceramics, traditional Chinese lanterns.
With six days, you can slow down, explore Ningbo’s maritime culture, and enjoy local life.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Ningbo city center near Tianyi Square. Try local dim sum and Ningbo crab feast.
Souvenirs: Ocean-themed toys, Ningbo seafood gift packs, fashionable boutique items from Tianyi Square.
A week-long trip allows for temple visits, Ningbo cultural immersion, mountain hiking, and even a day trip to Zhoushan islands.
Accommodation/Food: Stay in Ningbo. On Zhoushan trip, try Putuo vegetarian temple meals and seafood dishes like steamed clams.
Souvenirs: Zhoushan sea salt, Buddhist charms, dried seafood gift packs.
It is the fifth of the "Five Mountains of Zen Buddhism" and it also has Buddha relics as its "treasure of the temple", which is still very valuable.
However, before going, it is best to understand some background knowledge of Buddhism first. Otherwise, almost all temples have the "Seven Halls of the Kalayana" structure and look similar.
By the way, Ashoka Temple provides free vegetarian meals at noon, but please ensure you don't waste any food. Remember to pay attention to the time; it ends at 1 p.m. Don't be like me, arriving late and having to trouble the volunteer chef to serve me food separately.
In addition, Ashoka Temple and Tiantong Temple are relatively close to Dongqian Lake Scenic Area and can be arranged to visit in one day.
Every year in the eighth month of the lunar calendar, when the osmanthus flowers are in full bloom, people visit the Ashoka Temple to burn incense, worship Buddha, and enjoy a vegetarian meal. This tradition has continued for 10 years. Compared to the Lingyin Ashoka Temple in Hangzhou, it is a breath of fresh air among existing Buddhist temples. Pilgrims do not need to buy a ticket to enter the temple; they can also purchase nine free incense sticks at the temple gate. A vegetarian restaurant outside the temple offers a lunch buffet for 10 yuan per person. While the dishes are simple, they offer a unique flavor. After lunch, circumambulating the pagoda three times is a must for both monks and pilgrims. The temple is filled with a variety of osmanthus flowers, including gold, silver, and red. Visiting after the eighth month of the lunar calendar will delight you with the fragrance that fills the courtyard. The temple also houses a relic, which is occasionally open to the public for viewing during major events.
Visiting the Ashoka Temple in the spring is quite pleasant, but the mosquitoes are quite numerous and venomous. The bites lasted for days and were extremely itchy. Parking is quite convenient at the Ashoka Temple, with both the old parking lot and the new parking lot at the traffic light. To save money, drive to Yinzhou and park in the village. The temple is magnificent.
Very quiet and peaceful. I really enjoyed staying there.
It is said that the temple houses the relics of Ashoka. It is a very effective temple and is also very famous.
Here are the real relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, which can only be seen by those with good fortune.
The entrance fee is free, unlike other attractions that charge dozens of tickets. A small garden in a Buddhist temple with a three-story hall layout.
There is a vegetarian restaurant at the entrance, which opens at 11 am and offers more than ten kinds of vegetarian dishes, which taste quite good. There are Buddhist scriptures and portraits for you to take home at the Dharma distribution area.
This temple dedicated to King Ashoka is not to be missed for those who are interested in Buddhist culture.
Among them is the Relic Hall, which is a major feature, as well as the East Pagoda and the West Pagoda.
Ashoka Temple is the only thousand-year-old temple in China named after Ashoka of India. The temple is well-known both at home and abroad for its well-preserved cultural relics such as steles, stone carvings, plaques, and ancient Buddhist scriptures from past dynasties.
The pavilions and towers are arranged in an orderly manner. They are very large and ancient. You need to feel them slowly and carefully.
A thousand-year-old temple.
The first time I went there, I couldn't go in because it was under renovation. Around November, the ginkgo trees turned yellow. Wow, the fallen leaves were all over the ground, so beautiful.
Pray, empty your mind, and sublimate.
Hahaha
The ancient and majestic temple has beautiful scenery and nice people. Although it is a bit far away, you will get peace and quiet without being disturbed.
I have to say, it has an antique style and beautiful scenery.
Built during the Western Jin Dynasty, the Ashoka Temple boasts a relic pagoda. It's a temple steeped in history. A bit out of the city center, it's best to take the subway and then walk. For detailed directions, check Baidu Maps. The temple is quite large and lacks signposts, so it's best to remember your route to avoid getting lost. The temple offers free incense, which can be collected at the main hall. Free vegetarian meals are also available to everyone.
Highly recommended, super worth it!
The scenery is beautiful, quiet and peaceful, quite like a high monk who has attained enlightenment
Unmoved by praise or criticism, just quietly guarding this pure land
With a history of nearly 2,000 years, it is far away from the hustle and bustle of the city and does not have a particularly strong commercial atmosphere. It is worth a visit!
It feels similar to Tiantong Temple, with a quiet environment, suitable for a casual walk on weekends.
I went there for the first time in 2011 when I was in a very restless state. I just went there with my sister without any intention. After I arrived, my heart suddenly calmed down. I went there again in 2016 and will go again this year.
Back in high school, I watched "Aśoka" on the movie channel. It was over a decade ago, and even just one viewing was enough to keep me thinking about it for over a decade. In 2013, I went on a trip to Ningbo. My boyfriend let me choose the attractions and he arranged the itinerary. When we saw the Ashoka Temple, we said we had to go!
On a rainy day, I took the bus to the suburbs. The driver kindly told me the time and fare of the last return bus. Then he said something else, but I didn't understand. I repeated it several times, but I still didn't understand. An old man couldn't stand it, pointed to the handrail on the back door, and said in not very standard Mandarin, "Ring the bell to get off!" Oh, I know.
After getting off the bus, we still had to walk a bit. The road was deserted, with few people or cars. The map was no longer densely packed with text; the navigation system was blank, and the road signs were spaced far apart. In the distance, I saw a pagoda, the kind you see in temples, but I couldn't see the entrance. I saw a low wall and stepped onto the path. A few women were chatting by the wall. They waved at us from a distance, yelling, "Don't come over here! This is a cemetery!" We said we were going to the Ashoka Temple, but the women fell silent. Thinking about this now, I suddenly feel a little scared: the cloudy sky, the cemetery, the women...
The walled area on the left is the cemetery, and the one on the right is my destination. But where is the entrance? There's a monk not far ahead, next to a small gate. I stare eagerly at the monk and the gate. He glances back at us and enters, leaving the gate a crack. Inside, I find my destination. An ancient temple, a red pagoda, stone steps, and a thick, sturdy tree rarely seen in the north. After a few steps, the view gradually widens. I've reached the main gate.
The biggest feeling I had at the Ashoka Temple was its tranquility and solemnity. My favorite places to visit when traveling are ancient towns and temples; they give me the most grounded and pious feelings.
A ritual was being performed in a temple. A monk came out to burn something and then carefully cleaned up the ashes.
I probably reached the place where the monks lived. A monk was carrying a thermos to get some water. We passed each other and exchanged greetings. It felt gentle and peaceful.
In a small vegetable patch, a monk squatted on the ground, digging the soil with a small hoe, while a cat squatted beside him and watched quietly...
No tickets are required, there are no monks setting up stalls to tell fortunes, no places to buy and consecrate Buddhist instruments, and not even people begging at the door... The people here seem to be devout and devoted to Buddhism. Everything looks very comfortable and quiet.
The temple houses a pagoda containing the real relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, and enjoys a high reputation in the history of Buddhism in China and abroad.
Those who want to see the relics must first go to the guest hall of the Main Hall to fill out an approval form. After approval, they can go to the second floor of the Sutra Library to pay homage to the relics.
After exiting the subway, turn right, cross the overpass, and continue straight toward Youting Road for about 12-13 minutes. The gates close at 4 PM. This is the true temple for spiritual practice.
I've been to the Ashoka Temple many times. Although I'm not a big Buddhist, I'm always filled with faith when I visit. The subway and bus are very convenient. Years ago, there was a ticket, but now it's free. The temple is still very popular, and it's usually packed during holidays. Every time I see the waves of people coming to worship, I'm always moved. I'd go for a stroll on my free time to purify my soul. The hill behind the Ashoka Temple is also worth climbing.
It was raining on the Waking of Insects Day, which made me feel calmer. There was no entrance fee, the scenery was great, and the monks were very nice and welcoming.
Take Line 1 to Gulou Station, get off at Baozhuang Station, and then walk over 1 km, about an hour. The Ashoka Temple is located in a remote area, sparsely populated, and nestled quietly in the mountains, creating a tranquil and peaceful atmosphere. Built during the Western Jin Dynasty, it is the only extant thousand-year-old temple in China named after the Indian king Ashoka. The temple exudes a sense of genuine Buddhist devotion. For a temple of this size, admission is free, regardless of the amount of incense offered, and there's no commercial atmosphere at all. The temple boasts a large fish pond, lush trees, and a majestic ancient temple. Because it's a temple, I didn't take many photos. Overall, it's a worthwhile visit for Buddhists, as well as those with more time or a quiet escape.
It's a very quiet temple, without any commercial atmosphere. I came on the eighth day of the Lunar New Year, and there weren't many people. The temple covers a very large area.
Take Subway Line 1 to Baozhuang Station, Exit C, walk through the bridge, and it's a convenient 10-minute walk. The Ashoka Temple is much larger than I expected and is tranquil and peaceful. Although crowded during the Lunar New Year holiday, everything remains orderly. There's no entrance fee, and incense is provided. The temple boasts a history of over 1,700 years and houses a stupa. The scenery is beautiful and it's a great place for worship.
This famous temple, dating back to the Western Jin Dynasty, boasts over 1,700 years of history and is the only temple in China to house the Buddha's authentic relics. I first learned about it on CCTV's "Home Away: Coastal Journey," which showcased Ningbo's history and culture, and it's a must-see for you. A Spring Festival trip to Ningbo is a must-see. Ayuwang Temple is a convenient 1.5-kilometer walk from Baozhuang Station, making it a free and convenient place to visit. On the fifth day of the Lunar New Year in 2017, thousands of people came to burn incense and pray for blessings. They even saw Buddha relics and a rare "reclining Buddha" statue. It was a truly worthwhile experience! May the New Year be blessed with blessings. Amitabha!
For those traveling to Ningbo, I recommend visiting the temple. Admission is free. It's a bit far from the city center, but you can get there by Metro Line 1, getting off at Baozhuang Station, and then it's a ten-minute walk. (You can also take a motorbike near the subway station for 10 yuan per ride, which seats 2-4 people.) The temple is quite large, and its most famous feature is the Buddha's skull relic enshrined within (it's not usually on display to the public; you need a written note from a senior monk to enter).
Walking in the rain, the mountains shrouded in mist, the temple was tranquil and pleasant. Perhaps because it's far from the city center, it doesn't feel commercialized, and it's much better than Suzhou's Hanshan Temple. The main gate is under construction, so you can enter from the parking lot. There were beggars at the gate smoking cigarettes and holding out their hands, which left me speechless...
It's a very quiet temple, and it's the most reminiscent place for monks to stay in my impression. The six senses are pure.
"The Buddhist Kingdom of Southeast China", the thousand-year-old temple - Ashoka Temple, has beautiful scenery, quiet environment, and very distinctive buildings. If you like ancient buildings and like to find a quiet place to walk and have a look, it is still worth a visit!
It's definitely worth coming because I saw the Buddha's stupa, which is now open.
Although quite far from downtown Ningbo, this is the most down-to-earth, least utilitarian temple I've ever visited. While a temple of its size might charge an entrance fee, this one is free. The main hall is open to the public, and even the stupa can be viewed up close, which was a pleasant surprise. There's no such thing as fortune-telling; life here is truly spiritual. Aside from the limited amenities and inconvenient transportation, everything else is excellent.
The temple houses a pagoda containing the real relics of Sakyamuni Buddha, and enjoys a high reputation in the history of Buddhism in China and abroad.
I haven't been to many temples, but the Ashoka Temple gave me the feeling of a truly ancient temple, nestled peacefully in the mountains. It was drizzling when I visited, and a middle-aged monk meditating at the entrance gave me a sense of inner peace. The scenery from this temple is also amazing! A rainy day is a unique experience.
The vegetarian meal is great. I want to eat another one after eating it. Hahaha
A very famous temple in Ningbo, with hiking trails nearby.
On the fourth day of the first lunar month during the Spring Festival, the sun was shining brightly. We set out on a two-hour road trip from Shaoxing to the Ashoka Temple.
###Asoka (reigned 273-232 BC) was a renowned Buddhist protector and the third king of the Maurya Dynasty of Magadha in ancient India. Ashoka Temple, known as the "Southeast Buddhist Kingdom," is a renowned Zen Buddhist temple and the fifth of the "Five Mountains" of Chinese Buddhism. It is also the only extant thousand-year-old temple in China named after the Indian king Ashoka. ###
The Asoka Temple is located at the junction of Yinzhou and Beilun. The temple is large in scale, has a beautiful environment, and houses relics.
Ningbo does a very good job in this regard, that is, there is no charge for temples
Not far from the Ashoka Temple are the Yingluo Zen Temple and Lingfeng Temple, both of which have beautiful scenery.
A place for Amitabha Buddha, Buddhist friends should like it
There are many temples in Zhejiang. This is where my elders took me to visit when I was a child.
Ashoka Temple is a famous Zen Buddhist temple, known as the "Southeast Buddhist Kingdom" and is considered the "Fifth of the Five Mountains" of Chinese Buddhism. It is also the only extant thousand-year-old temple in China named after Ashoka of India. Ashoka Temple is famous both at home and abroad for its collection of the Buddhist treasure, the real body relics of Sakyamuni, and the exquisite and delicate relic pagoda.
I went there during the summer vacation one year. There were very few tourists at that time. It is the only thousand-year-old temple in China named after Ashoka.
One of the more famous temples in Ningbo, with beautiful scenery and Buddha relics for worship
The ancient Ashoka Temple has a long history. The temple has a huge fish pond, dense woods, and a majestic ancient temple. It is worth visiting often.
It is a bit far from Ningbo, about 20 kilometers away from the city center. It felt like it took more than an hour to take the bus, and I had to change buses.
It is just a large temple with average scenery, few people and not many incense burners.
A famous ancient temple from the Jin Dynasty, the plaque at the entrance is inscribed by Lao Jiang.
Ashoka Temple is the only surviving thousand-year-old temple in China named after Emperor Ashoka. It's a tranquil and benevolent monastery filled with numerous monks, all with compassionate demeanor. There's no entrance fee, and incense is free. Everything here showcases the true essence of Buddhism. The temple's most famous relic is well worth a visit.
Very nice place ~ I went there in the summer. The cicadas were very loud, but it didn't feel harsh. It was very comfortable.
A tranquil retreat. While a renowned Jiangnan temple, it doesn't have the trappings of a prestigious one! No incense or flower vouchers are required, and each visitor is provided with three free incense sticks. We do not accept any personal incense. The blessed instruments are also reasonably priced.
Ashoka Temple is a very famous temple in Ningbo. It has been expanded after renovation. It is located at the junction of Yinzhou District and Beilun District. You can go there if you have time.
It used to be old, but now it has been renovated. It is very lively when you enter from the door, but the inside is still the same. It is very beautiful when you go there on rainy days.
The style is the same as Tiantong Temple. You can choose one to visit. You can eat vegetarian food and the entrance fee is free.
My great-grandfather is buried in the nearby mountains. The temple is very clean and has a solemn feeling.
The transportation is not very convenient, as it is in Beilun, far from the city.
What impressed me most was the turtles in the pond. They were all very big and they were swimming in groups.
I decided to go there on a whim. The location is a bit remote, but I like the atmosphere inside.
Ashoka Temple is also a place to burn incense and worship Buddha. Tickets are free. You can walk around and stop inside for about a few hours to finish worshipping Buddha. The Eighteen Arhats inside attracted me. There are quite a lot of Bodhisattvas. You can drive a short distance to worship there on weekends. It's very nice.
Ashoka Temple is the only thousand-year-old temple in China named after Ashoka. It has a fresh air and beautiful scenery.
It is a bit far from the city and transportation is not very convenient. It is very famous as a temple.
There are no relics of Sakyamuni inside the relic temple. They said you had to go to the guest hall to register before someone would take you to see them. But when I got there, I was told that only believers of the Buddha were eligible. It was a disappointment, but the Buddhist books were good, with a wide variety, and they were free, which was much better than those places that profited by using the Buddha's name! They also gave away incense.
I went with a pilgrimage group and saw the Buddha's relics. The aura I felt on the scene was indeed different. Everyone saw something different.
There is no entrance fee and no one asks you to spend money, so you can visit the entire temple in peace, which makes you feel very good. Seeing the abbot leading the monks in their exercises makes people admire him and feel awe involuntarily.
It is said that the relic hall houses the real relics of Sakyamuni, and CCTV even broadcast live when they were unearthed.
There are many temples in Ningbo, and Buddhism is the main religion. Ashoka Temple is also a relatively famous Buddhist base here and a good place to pray for your family.
I've visited many temples, but only the Ashoka Temple makes my heart tremble. The atmosphere of this thousand-year-old temple is awe-inspiring. I hope this quiet place, untouched by the world, can continue to exist for a long time.
Ashoka Temple, it was a strange name when I first heard it...
I also came here in the 1990s after visiting Tiantong Temple, as these two temples are more famous in Ningbo. It is smaller than Tiantong Temple, but each has its own merits.
It is free to visit and not crowded. It is a bit far from the city center of Ningbo. It is quite large and magnificently built.
Ancient temple, the vegetarian food is great...
The Ashoka Temple is located on National Highway 329. It is quiet and ancient, with a tranquil environment and beautiful scenery. You can visit it on your way to Beilun. There is no entrance fee and no incense coupons are required.
You can pay your respects. Anyway, I have never tried to do it without a ticket.
Ashoka Temple is a Zen Buddhist temple nestled at the foot of a mountain east of Ningbo's city center. It took us an hour by subway to get there. Listening to the wind rustling through the trees, carp and turtles leisurely swimming in the pond at the entrance to the Heavenly King Hall, the tranquil surface of the lake occasionally rippled by the wind, was a truly relaxing experience.