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Lingyin Temple
Photo: Dave Proffer · CC BY 2.0 · Cropped, resized to 1600x1000 WebP and EXIF metadata removed.
Independent travel guide

Lingyin Temple

灵隐寺Lingyin Si

Hangzhou's best-known Buddhist temple, reached through the Feilai Peak grotto landscape; the scenic-area and temple tickets are separate. Allow 3–4 hours including Feilai Peak for the core visit. Save the named entrance in your map; the attraction centre may sit away from the gate.

3–4 hours including Feilai PeakReservation requiredModerate walkingWeather sensitiveExact place
View tickets & booking
CostLingyin–Feilai Peak admission is free under the current official policy; real-name reservation remains required.
Chinese phoneNot confirmed
PassportCheck first
Good forVisitors making a first pass through Hangzhou and considering Lingyin Temple · Independent travelers using public transport to reach Lingyin Temple · Travelers who prefer to settle Lingyin Temple's booking and entry details before the day starts
Free · reservation · Checked 2026-08-02

Verified ticket prices

Official pricesLingyin–Feilai Peak admission is free under the current official policy; real-name reservation remains required.
Adult admissionOrdinary admission is free; special exhibitions or activities may differ.
Free admission; reservation or real-name entry may apply
Buy / reserve officially
  • Checked on 2026-08-02. Official prices are kept separate from platform observations; no third-party price is used as an official conclusion.
Reservation required

How to book

China-local channel
Channel

Search the official 'Hangzhou Lingyin Feilai Peak' mini-program in WeChat or Alipay, as named by the city notice.

When to book

The official notice says booking can be made up to seven days ahead; it does not confirm the passport or phone fields.

Booking steps

  1. 1

    Open the official mini-program and select the Lingyin–Feilai Peak date, not a separate temple donation or activity item.

  2. 2

    Check the identity-document menu; if passport is absent, stop and use the official service contact for clarification.

  3. 3

    Save the QR reservation and scan it at the scenic-area gate on the selected date.

What to bring

The notice describes QR entry but does not establish online foreign-passport support; check the identity options before submission.

If booking does not work

If the official page has no live product, use the venue's published contact or staffed desk; do not replace it with an OTA.

3–4 hours including Feilai Peak

How to visit

Start

Enter from Lingyin Temple and first read the whole layout of Lingyin Temple; walk the main axis once before stopping for photos.

Finish

Leave Lingyin Temple through the exit nearest the next street or temple district, not necessarily the gate you entered; check the return advice: Use the metro or bus plus walking and navigate to the exact Chinese entrance; road access around West Lake is often controlled.

  1. 1
    Stop 1Read the entrance of Lingyin Temple

    Notice the gate, axis and surrounding street before entering the details; this gives Lingyin Temple its context.

  2. 2
    Stop 2Main hall or central axis

    Take in the full sequence of Lingyin Temple's central spaces before choosing one detail to follow; keep the worship and visitor flow clear.

  3. 3
    Stop 3One story, not every plaque

    Choose one historical detail connected to Lingyin Temple and follow it through the courtyard, relic or exhibit.

  4. 4
    Stop 4Quiet side route and photo angle

    Use a side court or boundary at Lingyin Temple as the photo stop; the quieter angle usually explains the site's structure better.

  5. 5
    Stop 5Connect the next neighborhood

    End with 3–4 hours including Feilai Peak in mind, use the signed exit to connect to the next stop, then check the transport note: Use the metro or bus plus walking and navigate to the exact Chinese entrance; road access around West Lake is often controlled.

Best time

Weekday morning, soon after opening. If you choose this window, put Lingyin Temple first and keep the rest of the route light.

Foreigner notes

Save the named gate

For Lingyin Temple, save 灵隐寺 and 法云弄1号 in the map app; a broad venue pin may stop short of the visitor gate.

Passport and phone rules vary

Keep the official notice or confirmation; the current Chinese-phone requirement is unknown.

Crowd patterns are starting points

For Lingyin Temple, the usual crowd pattern is only a planning hint; check the day's notice and the queue at the gate.

Check the current opening notice

Normal opening profile: Daily: 07:30-17:30; last entry 17:00. The current access mechanism is an online waitlist/real-name process; the day-before 20:00 cutoff and dated booking window take priority.

Keep the arrival point handy

Save 灵隐寺 and 法云弄1号 before leaving; the last walk is easier when the gate is already marked.

!

Avoid these mistakes

1

The map centre for Lingyin Temple may not be the visitor gate; use the named entrance in the record.

2

Check the date and source on any old price or hours screenshot before using it for Lingyin Temple.

3

Keep a return buffer after Lingyin Temple; queues and internal transfers can consume it.

4

A city-level booking page may not cover every boat, show or cableway at Lingyin Temple; check paid sub-entries separately when relevant.

Continue nearby

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Sources and evidence

Published by China Trip Primer · Read the editorial and verification methodology

Venue-specific official pages are used where available. City-level official references provide context and are not booking confirmation; editorial and community sources are used only for route choices, pacing and first-hand experience.

灵隐寺法云弄1号