Guiyuan Temple, situated on Cuiwei Street, is one of the four largest Buddhist meditation temples in Hubei as well as an important Buddhist temple in China.

The temple was first built in the early Qing dynasty (1644-1911) by two monks named Baiguang and Zhufeng on the base of Sunflower Garden which was owned by a poet. The temple got its name from the Buddhist chant: "When guided by purity, one can go anywhere." Guiyuan Temple has survived through more than 300 hundred years of repeated cycles of prosperity and decline. Above all others, it has always led the other temples in Wuhan with prosperous public worship, flourishing Buddhist ceremony, and welcoming many pilgrims.

The temple was destroyed and rebuilt several times in its history and the present temple dates from the early Republic of China (1912-1949). Covering an area of 46,900 square meters with a floor space of 20,000 square meters, the temple mainly consists of Daxiongbaodian Hall, Arhat Hall, and the Sutra Collection Pavilion.

Daxiongbaodian Hall

It is the main hall of the temple. A statue of Sakyamuni, the founder of Buddhism who preached for 45 years, is enshrined in this hall. On his right is a statue of Mahakasyapa, one of the ten disciples of Sakyamuni. It is said that he was of eminent virtue and is believed to be the first patriarch. After Sakyamuni died, Mahakasyapa carried on his career. On the left is a statue of Ananda. Also one of the ten disciples of Sakyamuni, Ananda was the master of hearing and memory and is believed to be the second patriarch. He followed Sakyamuni for more than 20 years and is attributed with compiling the Buddhist sutras.

Arhat Hall

First built in 1850AD during the reign of Emperor Daoguang of the Qing dynasty, the hall is the most characteristic building of the Temple with its structural layout being in the four-in-one-square shape. In the Arhat Hall are five hundred statues of the disciples of Buddha, sculpted by two artists between 1822 and 1831. Sitting, standing, or reclining, in anger, sadness, or delight, they stimulate people's imaginations. The 500 arhats are the best preserved and most highly valued artistic group of carvings in China.

Sutra Collection Pavilion

This structure was built as part of the temple in 1696AD during the reign of Emperor Kangxi in the Qing dynasty to house Buddhist scriptures and art treasure. In this hall, a statue of Sakyamuni carved from a single block of white jade is most attractive. The statue enhances the tranquility of the chambers and pavilions, and the incense smoke filtering through the sky gives the temple a majestic magic. Over 7000 Buddhist sutras from China, as well as sutras from Japan, India, Burma, Thailand, and other countries are housed in this hall.

Although the Guiyuan Temple has a shorter history, it has shared prominence with the White Horse Temple, the most renown Buddhist Temple in China. It is famous not only for spreading Buddhism throughout the entire country, but also for its perfect architecture, excellent sculptures, and rich collection of Buddhist doctrine among Buddhist temples. In 1956, Guiyuan Temple gained status as a historic preservation of antiques within the Hubei province. In 1983, the State Council appointed the Guiyuan Temple as one of the key Buddhist temples of the Han nationality in China.

The temple has been a popular tourist attraction, especially during the past ten years.