Qixia Temple Temple
Historic Buddhist temple in Nanjing, famous for foliage
Hillside Buddhist complex on Qixia Mountain near Nanjing, noted for pagodas, stone inscriptions and autumn maple foliage. Pilgrims and daytrippers visit for temple architecture and hillside walks.
Qixia Temple at a Glance#
Address: Qixia Temple (栖霞寺), Qixia District, Nanjing, Jiangsu Province, China
Hours: Daily 7:00am-6:00pm
About Qixia Temple#
Qixia Temple is a Buddhist temple complex on Qixia Mountain in the eastern suburbs of Nanjing, Jiangsu province. The site is known for its temple halls, historic buildings and a hilltop setting that attracts visitors for both religious practice and sightseeing.
The complex includes multiple halls, courtyards and a pagoda as part of a traditional temple layout. It is particularly popular in autumn when surrounding maple and deciduous trees produce notable fall colours.
The temple traces its origins to early medieval foundations and has been rebuilt and expanded across successive dynasties, with major rebuilding and repairs in later periods. It remains an active religious site and a focus of local conservation and tourism.
Qixia Temple sits on Qixia Mountain in Nanjing’s Qixia District, east of the city centre, accessible by local roads and public transport from Nanjing.
- Autumn foliage and hillside location: Located on Qixia Mountain to the east of Nanjing’s urban centre and noted for autumn foliage and religious architecture.
How to Get to Qixia Temple#
From Nanjing Railway Station or Xinjiekou, take Metro Line 2 to Qixia Temple Station (栖霞寺站). The temple is a short walk from the station; local buses and taxis also serve the Qixia Mountain area.
By car, follow signs to Qixia Mountain Scenic Area on the eastern side of Nanjing; parking is available near the entrance.
Tips for Visiting Qixia Temple#
- Visit early in the morning when incense smoke and chanting are more likely to be part of the atmosphere.
- Look for the stone inscriptions and carved eaves-they are often overlooked but reveal the temple's Ming and earlier layers.
- Combine the trip with a visit to nearby Jiming Temple and the city's purple-gold dawn over Xuanwu Lake.
Best Time to Visit Qixia Temple#
Autumn is the standout season when the maple and ginkgo on Qixia Mountain turn color; mornings are best for fewer crowds.
Weather & Climate near Qixia Temple#
Qixia Temple's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and cold winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -1°C to 31°C. Abundant rainfall (1029 mm/year), wettest in July.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Acceptable | -1° - 7° | 0° | 31 mm | partly cloudy | 77% | 2.5 m/s | 0.3 low | 10.1h |
| February | Acceptable | 0° - 8° | 2° | 46 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.5 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 10.9h |
| March | Acceptable | 5° - 12° | 7° | 71 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.9 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.9h |
| April | Good | 10° - 20° | 15° | 85 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 3.1 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.9h |
| May | Very Good | 16° - 25° | 20° | 89 mm | partly cloudy | 71% | 2.9 m/s | 1.3 high | 13.7h |
| June | Good | 20° - 28° | 24° | 150 mm | overcast | 74% | 2.7 m/s | 1.2 high | 14.1h |
| July | Acceptable | 24° - 31° | 32° | 203 mm | overcast | 82% | 2.5 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.9h |
| August | Good | 24° - 31° | 31° | 125 mm | partly cloudy | 81% | 2.4 m/s | 1.5 high | 13.2h |
| September | Very Good | 19° - 27° | 23° | 100 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.4 m/s | 1.1 high | 12.2h |
| October | Very Good | 13° - 22° | 17° | 52 mm | partly cloudy | 73% | 2.3 m/s | 0.8 moderate | 11.2h |
| November | Very Good | 6° - 15° | 11° | 51 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.4 m/s | 0.5 low | 10.4h |
| December | Good | 1° - 9° | 3° | 26 mm | partly cloudy | 75% | 2.1 m/s | 0.3 low | 9.9h |
