Cha?an Temple

Jianghai Road, Waihai Township, Jiangmen

Tel: (0750) 397 1472

With lovely gardens, wandering paths and an artificial lake, this historic temple deserves a leisurely stroll. The original Hong Sheng Temple was built in 1600 and dedicated to Tin Hao. A 15,000-square-metre park was built at the site in 1984. Several temples and pavilions have been added. The temple comes to life during key festivals with hundreds and even thousands of the faithful descending on the venue.

Hong Sheng Temple

Hong Sheng Park, Gangbei Alley, Fugang Village, Chaolian Township, Jiangmen

Tel: (0750) 372 8527

Glimpse in the mist: Heshan?s Haihui Monastery

Da Yan Mountain, Yanqian Road,

Shaping Township, Heshan

Tel: (0750) 882 0365

Shrouded in morning mist, Haihui Monastery offers an insider?s glimpse of the monastic life. Facing the Pearl River, the monastery is nestled among the foothills of the Da Yan Mountain, and comprises a complex of imperial-style structures with yellow tile roofs. The gentle rhythms of morning bells, afternoon drums, and the incessant chanting of devotees will soothe the soul of any visitor.

Heartier travelers can hike up the 310-metre mountain to Century Pagoda, which offers an excellent view of the countryside. On clear days you can take in the six counties of Heshan, Gaoming, Xinhui, Zhongshan, Shunde, and Nanhai. If you?re in a hurry ? or aren?t in top shape ? you might prefer to drive.

Other attractions in the 300-hectare park include the Scholar?s Palace, a carp fish pond, a small zoo, various pavilions and temples, and some small lakes. On hot days you might want to take a splash under the waterfalls at Qinggu Lake.

Something to Ponder:

Ziyun Taoist Temple

Jian Zi Yun Road,

Xicheng, Xinhui

Tel: (0750) 668 9504

Located at the foot of Guifeng Mountain, the Ziyun Taoist Temple is one of the most important Taoist temples in Guangdong. The complex features imperial-style buildings with yellow tile roofs. Overlooking the Shijian Reservoir, it is surrounded by emerald hills. It was last rebuilt in 2001.

Scholarly pursuits: Xinhui Study Temple

No 12 Gong Yuan Road, Xinhui District

Tel: (0750) 661 0763

Dating to the Northern Song Dynasty, the Xinhui Study Temple has been rebuilt many times over the centuries. With 5,000 pieces of art on display, the current incarnation ? built in the 1950s ? has a striking reddish-orange facade and blue tile roof. It was originally built as a Confucian temple. It is now dedicated to scholarly pursuits.

So near and yet so far: Xinhui?s Yu Tai Temple

Guifeng Mountain, Xinhui District

Tel: (0750) 618 3510

A mere 15 minutes from the bustle of Jiangmen, Yu Tai Temple seems worlds away at its serene perch on the southern slope of Guifeng Mountain, in the sprawling Guifeng Mountain National Park. The temple is one of the most important in Guangdong, and features beautifully renovated palace-style buildings and leafy, immaculately maintained grounds. If you only have time to visit one place in greater Jiangmen, perhaps this should be it. There are plenty of other worthy destinations in the vicinity as well.

Important structures include the Tian Wang Hall, Guan Yin Hall, and Da Xiong Bao Hall. Also noteworthy are the clock and drum towers, an ancestral hall with hundreds of memorial tablets, impressive statuary, and stone relics from the Tang and Qing dynasties. Yu Tai Temple has photo ops aplenty.

There are a few souvenir shops, while the wonderful Laughing Buddha Restaurant offers an extensive vegetarian menu as well as indoor and outdoor seats (Where to Eat, Page 20).

Besides the Yu Tai Temple, the park boasts several lakes, more temples, the Zhou Enlai Memorial and Exhibition Hall, and the Palm Museum, which features a grove of various types of palm trees and a visitors? centre showing their many ingenious uses. More active visitors should head to the Guifeng Sports Park, which offers grass skiing, go-carting, boating, miniature golf, tennis, and barbecuing.