Wenshu Monastery (Wenshu Yuan) is Chengdu's oldest and largest temple and is usually bursting with life and atmosphere.
Wenshu Monastery was originally built at this site in the north of the city during the Tang Dynasty. The building today however is a Qing Dynasty construction consisting of an impressive collection of buildings containing some intricate and beautiful art and architecture. There are five halls at the complex, all with pretty tiled roofs, carved eaves and beautifully painted ceilings. There is also a Museum here detailing the history of the temple and displaying some wonderful examples of traditional calligraphy and painting.
Chengdu has a sizeable Buddhist congregation who visit the temple to worship the God of Wisdom, filling the temple halls with noise and incense! The surrounding streets are fascinating too, and hawkers selling joss sticks, paper money and statues abound.
There is a HUGE tea house at the back of the complex which is a great place to do some people watching and a good vegetarian restaurant.
Address: The temple is just off Renmin Zhong Lu on Wenshu Yuan Jie.
How to get there: Bus No.16 passes through the center of town to Renmin Zhong Lu.
Opening hours: Daily 8.30am-8.30pm.
 Tours to Wenshu Monastery
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