Liurong Temple Travel Guide
Flower Tower · Inscription by Su Dongpo · Six Ancient Banyan Trees
Liurong Temple got its name because when Su Dongpo visited, he saw six ancient banyan trees and inscribed the two characters 'Liurong'. The floral tower in the temple is the tallest existing Song Dynasty brick tower in Lingnan. The tower has nine levels and seventeen stories, and one can climb it to overlook the old city of Guangzhou.
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Destination Details
Liurong Temple is located on Liurong Road in Guangzhou. It was originally built during the Liang Dynasty of the Southern Dynasties and was called Baozhuangyan Temple. During the Shaosheng period of the Northern Song Dynasty, Su Dongpo passed by and saw six ancient banyan trees in the temple whose dense foliage blocked the sunlight. He happily inscribed the characters "Liurong," and the temple's name was changed accordingly.
Main Highlights
Flower Pagoda
The Flower Pagoda is the main attraction of Liurong Temple. It was rebuilt in the fourth year of the Shaosheng period of the Northern Song Dynasty and stands about 57 meters tall. The pagoda has nine levels on the outside and seventeen levels inside. Its octagonal body features multiple eaves with bells hanging from the corners, resembling a blooming flower from a distance—hence the name "Flower Pagoda." It is the tallest surviving Song Dynasty ancient pagoda in the Lingnan region.
Six Ancestor Bronze Statue and Ancient Banyans
Inside the temple is a bronze statue of the Sixth Patriarch Huineng, cast during the Northern Song Dynasty. The figure is slender with simple folded robes, exemplifying the finest Song Dynasty bronze work. The six ancient banyan trees that once caused Su Dongpo to stop and admire have not all survived, but there are still replanted banyan trees in the temple that carry on the legacy.
Suggested Route
- Classic route: Shanmen → Hall of the Heavenly Kings → Flower Pagoda → Mahavira Hall → Sixth Patriarch Hall, approximately 40 minutes.
- Combine with Guangxiao Temple, Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, and Beijing Road Pedestrian Street for a one-day tour of old Guangzhou.
Practical Information
It is an eight-minute walk from the Park Front Metro Station. The stairs to the pagoda are steep and narrow, with crowd control during holidays. Those afraid of heights or with knee issues are advised to view the pagoda from the ground. The pagoda and the surrounding old city area offer a wide view, making it a great spot to photograph the old Guangzhou skyline.
