Fayu Temple
As the second largest temple on the island, Fayu Temple is famous for its ancient architecture, delicate wood carvings and inscribed calligraphy by ancient emperors. It is located on the left top of the Baihua hill, close to 1000-pace Beach. You can go there with the cableway or walk up the hill.
Its history can date back to 1580A.D.in Ming Dynasty. The monk Da Chi, prayed to Guanyin at the Tidal Sound cave, he saw that a large bamboo had washed ashore on the 100-pace Beach. Soon afterward, he built a hut on the beach and named it the "Sea Tide Nunnery" ( Haichao Nunnery). Many faithful adherents donated money to expanding the modest temple through the years. In 1699, Emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty visited the island and built a main hall for the temple and named it “Fa Yu”. Hence, the Fayu Temple got its name.
There are now 294 halls and rooms with an area of 8,800 square meters. The whole temple is arranged on a six-layer mound which starts ascending from the temple gate. A miniature golden pagoda stands between the Nine-dragon wall and the first of the temple’s several halls, where visitors can toss coins through five tiers of windows for good luck. The main hall is called Nine Dragon Hall and was built during the Qing dynasty.
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