2024-12 Hiking - Faxisi Temple and Shilileidan in Hangzhou

Get to Know the Destination

Faxi Temple

Nestled in the Tianzhu Mountains of Hangzhou lie three ancient temples collectively known as the “Three Tianzhu Temples.” The youngest of the trio—Upper Tianzhu, or Faxi Temple—has stood quietly among the hills for over a thousand years. Of the three, Faxi is the largest, and its name was personally inscribed by Emperor Qianlong himself. Even the strokes of the characters seem to carry a trace of imperial flair.

Hangzhou is home to many renowned temples. Lingyin Temple is perhaps the most famous, but Faxi Temple holds its own charm. As someone once wrote online: “Locals in Hangzhou often visit Faxi, Japanese and Korean tourists favor Jingci, and regular tourists go to Lingyin.” Perhaps it’s just a matter of visibility. I’ve been to Lingyin twice—it’s lively with burning incense and large crowds, but the grounds are spacious enough to never feel too crowded.

This time, I chose to visit Faxi. It was peaceful, cozy, and just right. The temple isn’t large—you can walk through it in an hour without feeling rushed. Sunlight streamed into the courtyards, giving photos a cinematic touch. I heard that during the New Year, this place is especially popular for prayers about love. I stood before the wall of red strings, quietly reading the wishes. I thought, isn’t everyone just waiting for a response?

The Ten-Li Langdang Trail

Langdang Ridge—sometimes spelled Langdangling, and once called Menbi Ridge—lies west of West Lake, near Longjing Village. It winds its way upward from Wuyun Mountain in the south to Tianzhu in the north, stretching a full ten li (around 5 kilometers), hence its name: the “Ten-Li Langdang.”

It’s not as steep as Huangshan, nor as shrouded in clouds as Emei, but it holds a gentle strength of its own. Made mostly of limestone, the mountain has been carved by wind and water into countless shapes over time. Each stone and ridge seems to express a different emotion of the mountain. Climbing up, the view opens wide—and your heart opens with it.

The ancient path still retains its old charm, and the stone-paved trail holds a quiet warmth from centuries past. If you’re new to hiking and want something that’s not too exhausting but not too easy either, this place is just right. Like a “beginner village” in a video game—it doesn’t scare you off, but it’s enough to make you fall in love with the journey.

Route and Preparation

Route

Faxi Temple → Longjing Village → Ten-Li Langdang → Three-Way Fork → Lookout Pavilion → Zhenji Monastery → Yunqi Bamboo Trail

The full loop is around 10 kilometers.

Preparation

1. Activewear (bring a windbreaker—it gets chilly on the way down)
2. Backpack
3. Hiking shoes (regular sneakers work too)
4. Trail snacks: Snickers, small treats, bottled water

Itinerary

Photo Sharing

After arriving at the entrance of Faxi Temple, we bought the tickets (¥10 per person) right on the spot by scanning a QR code. Super convenient—just use Alipay, no need to line up at the ticket window!

Just past the main gate, you’ll find the vegetarian dining hall on the right. A meal ticket costs ¥5 per person. The restroom is also on this side—easy to find and super convenient!

After finishing the meal, we wandered leisurely around the temple grounds. Before long, we came across inscriptions on the walls—characters like “Peace” (安), “Filial Piety” (孝), and “Child” (子) stood out, polished smooth and shiny from countless touches. Perhaps it’s a little ritual—people brushing their fingers over the stone as they make a wish. Quiet, yet meaningful.

The temple buildings felt solemn but never oppressive. The Dharma Hall and Sutra Library were laid out gracefully, blending into the landscape.

There were also these beautifully traditional windows, casting delicate shadows as the sunlight streamed through. It felt like a scene from an old film.

And let’s not forget the chubby white pigeons basking in the sun on the rooftops—completely at ease, adding a touch of life and peace to the temple.

After exploring the temple, we officially started the hike up the mountain. The path was all stone-paved—pretty easy to walk on. There were quite a few people along the way too, so even if you’re hiking solo, you won’t feel alone.

The scenery was absolutely beautiful. The trail followed the mountain ridge, with rolling tea fields on both sides and a distant view of the Qiantang River. The air was crisp and refreshing.

The ridge stretched on and on, offering wide, open views all around.

Autumn had just painted the maple and ginkgo leaves in warm hues—every snapshot looked like it belonged on a postcard.

Along the way, we came across a ginkgo tree that’s said to be over a thousand years old. Standing beneath it, time seemed to slow down—it was one of those quiet, awe-inspiring moments you don’t easily forget.

On the way down, we passed through the Yunqi Bamboo Trail and happened to see a group of elderly folks burning joss paper. It was only later that we learned this spot is the burial site of Master Lianchi, a revered Buddhist monk.

And finally, here’s a photo with my “boss” for the day! ❤️