GoChengdu Tour Guide: Wenshu Monastery

Here is some advice for visiting an old temple in the downtown!

Probably the most popular monastery in downtown Chengdu, Wenshu (Manjusri) Monastery keeps most of the historical vestiges ― the temples, cloisters, walls, columns and roof tiles ― to tell its story quietly in the busy, boisterous whereabouts in the city.

History and Buildings

The history of Wenshu Monastery dates back to the Southern and Northern Dynasties (420-589) and the monastery prospered in the Sui and Tang Periods (581-907). The reconstructions in Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) made the monastery the largest and most famous Buddhist temple in the city center.

Stepping into the temple, you will be impressed at the first sight of the grand and elegant halls featuring the typical characteristics of traditional buildings in Western Sichuan.

The 82 columns of the halls are made of huge stones ― so big are the structures, it is said, that people had to sprinkle water on the ground and get it frozen and hence more slippery for easier transportation of the stones to the construction site.

A small library hides itself in the Buddhist monastery where there are quite many books on Buddhism, providing a quiet environment for people interested in Buddhism to read.

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Wenshu Fun

Next door to Wenshu Monastery, Wenshu Fun is a business street of pseudo-classic architecture. With numerous bars, restaurants, and snack and souvenir shops, it is one of the most popular tourist sites in the city.

Oct 19, 2014

Laba Rice Porridge Festival in Wenshu Monastery

The Laba Rice Porridge Festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the last lunar month in China, which falls on Jan. 27 this year. The Wenshu Monastery will offer 50,000 bowls of Laba rice porridge for free to local people.

Jan 26, 2015

Must-visit Attractions in Downtown Chengdu

From the modern and bustling Chunxi Road to the historic and tranquil Wenshu Monastery, there are so many must-visit attractions in Chengdu’s city center, which are believed to be the best places to soak up the quintessence of the city’s fascinating culture.

Oct 19, 2016

Get Free Laba Rice Porridge in Wenshu Monastery

The Laba Rice Porridge Festival is celebrated on the eighth day of the last month of Chinese lunar calendar, which falls on Jan. 5 this year.

Jan 05, 2017

Eat Laba Rice Porridge in Wenshu Monastery

According to the Chinese tradition, people should eat Laba rice porridge (mainly made up of many kinds of rice, beans, peanuts, dried fruit, and lotus seeds, etc.) on the Laba Rice Porridge Festival.