Plan at a glance
Ticket, hours and temple scope
Xuedou Temple is inside the Xuedou Mountain scenic area northwest of Xikou in Fenghua, but it is a separate temple visit. The reference temple ticket is CNY 90. Usual hours are 8:00–17:00, with entry ending around 16:30. Other Xuedou Mountain sights and sightseeing vehicles have their own ticket and entry conditions.
The Buddha-foot platform arrangement
Access to the base of the outdoor Maitreya Buddha requires an on-site ticket exchange under the temple’s current rules. The listed time window for this arrangement is 8:30–16:30, with timed capacity control. If you want to do it, ask about the exchange and queue procedure soon after entering; entry depends on the remaining capacity that day.
How long to allow
Allow about 1.5–2 hours for the main temple grounds. If you combine the temple with Zhang Xueliang’s First Detention Site, Qianzhang Rock and Miaogao Platform, allow at least 4–5 hours and count the mountain sightseeing vehicle and transfer time separately.
Tickets and visit details
View visit options for this attraction and confirm the visit date and current arrangements before you go.
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The outdoor Maitreya Buddha and temple grounds
The outdoor seated Maitreya Buddha is about 33 metres high and is the temple’s most recognisable sight. The Hall of Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Hall, Mahavira Hall, the General Nan trees and the old ginkgo are arranged along the temple route and are best seen in order.
Temple buildings and trees
Maitreya Hall uses a Song-style architectural design, and the temple grounds include the General Nan trees associated with Zhang Xueliang. Late-autumn ginkgo, red walls and the Buddha create useful subjects for observation, but seasonal scenery depends on the weather and cannot be guaranteed in advance.
Who should choose this page
This is a suitable stand-alone stop for visitors interested in Maitreya Buddhism, historic temple buildings or a relatively gentle walk with older family members. If you prefer mountain scenery, use Xuedou Temple as the human-history section of a Xuedou Mountain day, while judging the tickets, entrances and walking effort separately.
Build your day
The 1.5–2-hour temple route
Enter through the main gate and visit the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Maitreya Hall, Mahavira Hall and the outdoor Maitreya Buddha, then see the General Nan trees and old ginkgo before leaving. If you want to reach the Buddha-foot platform, handle the ticket exchange and timed arrangement first, then follow the route available that day; access depends on the remaining capacity.
The 4–5-hour mountain-and-temple combination
From the Xuedou Mountain Visitor Centre, use the sightseeing-vehicle arrangement to reach Xuedou Temple, then continue to Zhang Xueliang’s First Detention Site, Qianzhang Rock and Miaogao Platform before returning to the Visitor Centre. The vehicle, mountain paths and return points depend on the routes available that day; the temple ticket does not automatically cover the mountain scenic area.
Reaching the temple from below
By car, you can try using Xuedou Temple Entrance or the parking area opposite the temple as a navigation target. You can also park at the foothill Visitor Centre and transfer according to the on-site arrangement. Parking near the temple and mountain transport may be limited in busy periods, so confirm the return plan before adding other mountain sights.
Get there
Public transport
From Ningbo Station, bus 988 can take you to the Xuedou Mountain Visitor Centre. From there, follow the scenic-area transfer arrangement to Xuedou Temple. Because the bus, sightseeing vehicle and temple entrance are separate stages, do not estimate the final arrival as a city walk.
Driving and parking
Use Xuedou Temple Entrance or Xuedou Mountain Visitor Centre as the navigation target. Parking near the temple, fees and capacity follow the day’s arrangement. The mountain road has many bends, so visitors unfamiliar with it may prefer the transfer option from the Visitor Centre.
Connecting with the Former Residence
The Former Residence and Xuedou Temple work better as two sections of a Xikou trip: town heritage and mountain heritage. If you transfer between them on the same day, confirm the temple entry and mountain return time first, then decide whether there is still time to return to the town residences. Their tickets and opening scopes remain separate.
Know before you go
Timed entry and photography
During busy periods, access to the Buddha-foot platform may be capacity-managed. Check the exchange, queue and open-area rules after entering. Indoor photography, flash, touching buildings and entering restricted areas follow the temple rules; use the on-site instructions.
Mountain roads and motion sickness
Combining the temple with the other Xuedou Mountain sights means using winding roads, sightseeing vehicles and steps. Visitors who get motion sickness should prepare in advance and wear shoes with good grip. Mountain facilities such as the Happiness Train are not the default return plan for the temple.
Food and weather
Vegetarian meals, noodles and other rest services at the temple depend on what is open that day. Mountain weather changes quickly. Reduce steps and distant sights in rain, and do not enter closed or repaired areas.