Plan at a glance
Tickets and hours
Xiyuan Temple, formally Xiyuan Jiechuang Temple, is at 18 Xiyuan Lane on Liuyuan Road in Gusu District. The usual entrance is the South Gate near Xiyuan Lane. Admission is normally CNY 5 with no reservation; entry before 07:30 is free, and regular hours are 07:30–17:30, with last entry at 16:30.
What to see
Allow 1–2 hours for the temple, focusing on the central buildings, Arhat Hall, the release pond and the rear garden. Early morning is calmer, the vegetarian noodle hall can be crowded around midday, and summer afternoons can feel hot and humid.
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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Arhat Hall and the rear garden
Arhat Hall offers the traditional experience of counting the arhat associated with your age, while the release pond, Moon Pavilion and Nine-Bend Bridge form the main walking area at the back. The temple also has cats and pigeons; observe them from a respectful distance and do not chase or disturb animals that are resting.
Who it suits
The temple suits visitors interested in temple gardens, vegetarian food and photography, as well as those looking for a quieter stop after Lingering Garden. Animal encounters are incidental rather than a fixed activity; the main visit remains the architecture, Arhat Hall and waterside garden.
Build your day
A 1-hour route
Enter through the South Gate, follow the central axis through the Hall of Heavenly Kings and Mahavira Hall, then continue to the rear release pond, Moon Pavilion and Arhat Hall before leaving. This route covers the main temple spaces in a shorter visit and connects well with Lingering Garden or Shantang Street.
A 2–3 hour route
If you arrive early, visit the vegetarian noodle hall first, then take your time through the Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, rear garden, release pond and Arhat Hall before observing the cats and pigeons from a distance. The noodle hall can be busiest from 10:00 to 13:00, so eat earlier if you want to avoid the largest queues.
Get there
Metro, buses and walking
Take Metro Line 2 to Shilu Station (石路), or Line 1 to Tongjing Beilu Station (桐泾北路), then transfer by bus or bicycle for about 1.5 kilometres. Bus routes 317 and Tour 1 South stop at Xiyuan Temple East or Lingering Garden, followed by a short walk.
Walking from nearby attractions
Xiyuan Temple is about 600 metres from Lingering Garden, so the two can be linked on foot, but each has its own entrance and ticket. If you come from Shantang Street, check both the street and temple hours before deciding whether to eat or rest inside the temple.
Know before you go
Morning and summer planning
The free entry period before 07:30 suits early visitors, while regular admission does not require a reservation. Summer afternoons can be hot and humid, so bring water and sun protection and place the main walk in the morning or a cooler period.
Animals and food
Do not pick up, chase or feed cats and pigeons that are resting, and avoid buying animal food from uncertain sources. Vegetarian noodles, buns and nearby restaurants charge separately; queues and supply depend on the conditions that day.