The monastery was founded in the Tang dynasty and rebuilt in 1691 under the Qing, when it was given its current name. It is dedicated to Wenshu, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, and belongs to the Chan tradition. Unlike many urban temples that have become solely visitor sites, Wenshu remains a functioning monastery with resident monks and regular chanting services.
The halls
The complex is arranged along a central axis: the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of the Three Sages with its bronze statues, the main Hall of Great Compassion, and the Sutra Library at the rear. The bronze and wood sculpture is the strong point, along with the painted beams and the hanging banners inside the halls. A collection of Buddhist relics and Tang-dynasty scriptures is displayed in one of the rear buildings.
The teahouse and vegetarian restaurant
Two attractions sit beside the worship halls. The monastery teahouse is a large, plain hall with bamboo chairs and unlimited tea refills, busy all day with local people. The vegetarian restaurant, which has been operating for decades, serves meat-free versions of classic Sichuan dishes and is one of the best-regarded vegetarian kitchens in the city. Both are reasons to plan more than a quick walk-through.
Practical notes
Wenshu Monastery is in the north of the city center, near a metro station of the same name. Admission to the grounds is low or free depending on the season, and incense is available at the entrance. Allow one to two hours, longer if you eat. The surrounding streets have a cluster of small snack shops and old-style teahouses worth walking afterward.
