The Dafo Temple is a famous Buddhist temple in Zhejiang and has a long history of more than 1000 years. This Temple is the symbol of the Xinchang prefecture and it attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Recently, the temple and its surroundings have often been used as a movie shooting area because of its exquisite natural beauty.

The actual big Buddha statue sits in a grotto of Shicheng Mountain. After it was created, a five-story hall was erected against the mountain to house the statue. Embraced by flowing water and radiating burning incense, the hall emits a sense of awe. Excluding his 2-meter-high base, the statue measures 13.74 meters in height, with a 4.8-meter head, 2.8-meter ears and a 1.48-meter nose. It is said that craftsmen spent thirty years to finish it. Dubbed the biggest Buddha statue south of the Yangtze River, it is representative of early grotto sculpture in the region. The temple is always crowded with Buddhism followers, both local and from far-off.

This temple’s water certainly enhances its beauty. Regardless of visitors’ faith, they are usually instantly attracted to the two crystal ponds the moment they enter the temple. Reflecting the green mountains and trees, the ponds perfectly complement the tranquility of the Buddhist shrine. The raindrops pattered into the water, rippling its surface. Still, it seemed that its fish had never been bothered and remained calmer than I’ve ever seen the animals.

The temple also boasts Asia’s “No.1” Reclining Buddha. Built in 2003 against a grotto, the Reclining Buddha Hall is embraced by rolling green mountains. In front of the hall is a 5,000-square-meter lake. A stone bridge with carved railings hovers over the lake and myriad fish roam its clear water. A black flagstone road winds into the horizon, and an open lawn features famous flowers and various trees. A plank road leads to the Reclining Buddha Hall, in which a Buddha lies on his lotus throne. Facing west, the statue is 37 meters long and 9 meters tall. Both the interior and exterior grotto designs speak on the peaceful nirvana of Sakyamuni. After passing through the elaborately carved hallway, visitors can get up-close to this world of wisdom and tranquility.

Behind the main hall, a bust of Buddha Maitreya measuring 10 meters in height was skillfully added to a 20-meter-high hill that naturally resembles the exposed chest and belly of Buddha. The design gives Panhuyan Valley a vivid open-air laughing Buddha exhibit.

When crowded with visitors at the usual times, the temple still retains a reverent aura. In the rain, it becomes even more serene. Buddhist music resounds through the drizzle, seeming like Buddha preaching doctrine to purify visitors’ hearts so that they can sense the real meaning of life.