Fabao Temple

A National 3A-level Tourist Attraction, it is located in Baipu Town, Rugao City. The temple was first built in the 4th year of Taihe reign of the Tang Dynasty (830 AD) and reconstructed in the 1st year of Zhihe reign of the Song Dynasty (1054 AD). It is listed as one of the Eight Great Buddhist Monasteries in Weiyang Region. Zheng Banqiao, a Qing-dynasty painter and calligrapher and one of the Eight Eccentrics of Yangzhou, inscribed the horizontal plaque for the temple’s scripture depository. The temple has long enjoyed thriving incense offerings.

According to records, many famous figures once visited and composed poems in praise of Fabao Temple, including Ennin, a Japanese eminent monk who traveled to Tang China; Yue Fei, the Southern Song national hero resisting the Jin invaders; Wen Tianxiang, the Prime Minister of the Southern Song Dynasty; Shen Qi, the Left Censor-in-Chief of the Qing Censorate; and the poet Yuan Mei.