This section is dedicated to take away all your "I wish someone had told me that before I went!" experiences. This way, you are better prepared for what to expect, what not to expect and can spend less time settling in, and more time making new friends in your chosen hostel. We share our insider knowledge of tips, tricks and important things to look out for in Dengfeng Shaolin Temple. To help you make friends with Dengfeng Shaolin Temple before you visit, we've included a few helpful and fun things you should know about the area. Enjoy!
Visitors can experience the Shaolin school of Buddhism for themselves at Dengfeng Shaolin Temple, nestled in the Pagoda Forest at the foot of Shaoshi Mountain. This unique location has been inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as a part of the “Historic Monuments of Dengfeng,” and is considered a local National Scenic Spot.
The temple was founded more than 1,500 years ago, but has been destroyed and rebuilt many times since then. More recently, the temple has been visited by monks and tourists looking to experience some of this facility’s deep and rich history for themselves. The nearby Songshan Mountain is home to a number of other ancient religious sites, Taoist temples, and even the Gaocheng Astronomical Observatory, constructed by Kublai Khan in 1276.
Guests can explore a wide variety of monuments and structures within the Shaolin temple itself, including the inscribed Mountain Gate, the Forest of Steles, Ciyun Hall, Heavenly Kings Palace Hall, Standing in Snow Pavilion, Bodhidharma Cave, and the Shaolin Temple Wushu Guan. Martial arts performances occur throughout the day.
Hotels and hostels in this area are somewhat hard to come by, but visitors can find local accommodation to call home while they explore the temple. Dengfeng City offers a variety of hotels, hostels, or vacation rentals only a short bus ride away from the temple itself, and guests can explore some of the other attractions in the area. There are some dining options available on the temple site, but the city will provide more variety where tourists can sample local Chinese cuisine.
Visitors can get to the temple from their hostel or hotel by catching a bus from the Zhengzhou Train Station, approximately two hours from the Shaolin school. Tour buses are also available for travelers who are looking to expand their visit to include some of the other local sites.
Written by local enthusiast for Dengfeng Shaolin Temple hostels
Jakob Lombardi
