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Feilai Feng Buddhist Rock Carvings

飞来峰造像
Fēi Lái Fēng
Heritage Site1.5-2 hours6:30 AM – 5:30 PM82/100 popularityLast verified 2026-05-17
Eroded stone Buddha statues carved into a rock face at Lingyin Temple, Hangzhou.

335 Buddhist rock carvings (5th-14th c.) across a limestone cliff next to Lingyin Temple — China’s most concentrated southern Buddhist sculpture site.

At a glance

What it is
Heritage Site
Also known as
飞来峰造像 (Fēi Lái Fēng)
Opening hours
6:30 AM – 5:30 PM
Time needed
1.5-2 hours
Best time to visit
Combine with Lingyin Temple morning visit
Getting there
Metro to the door
English
Some English signage
Cards accepted
Visa, Mastercard
Entry
Walk-in — no booking · tickets & prices →
Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi
Address
1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Rd · 灵隐街道灵隐路法云弄 1 号
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Feilai Feng Buddhist Rock Carvings map & getting there

Map of Feilai Feng Buddhist Rock Carvings (飞来峰造像) in Hangzhou — nearby streets and metro stations

Taxi / DiDi? Show the driver: 灵隐街道灵隐路法云弄 1 号 · 1 Fayun Lane, Lingyin Rd

Feilai Feng (‘Peak Flying From Afar’) is a 168 m limestone outcrop next to Lingyin Temple containing 335 Buddhist stone carvings dated AD 951 (Five Dynasties) to 1342 (Yuan), the most concentrated collection of Buddhist rock art in southern China. The famous chubby Maitreya Buddha sculpture (1000 AD) on the cliff base is one of the canonical photo spots in Hangzhou. The Yuan-dynasty Tantric carvings (Vajra figures, Indian motifs) are unusual for the Jiangnan region. Combined ticket with Lingyin Temple ¥75 (Feilai Feng ¥45 standalone, but you almost always do both together). Allow 1.5-2 hours for the cliff loop. Best paired with Lingyin Temple (90 min) for a half-day combination. Easy buses from West Lake: 7, 7K, Y2.

Highlights

  • Chubby Maitreya Buddha1000 AD Song-dynasty masterpiece, base of cliff
  • 335 carvingsFive Dynasties → Yuan, 5 centuries of styles
  • Yuan Tantric figuresRare in southern China; Indian-influenced

What Chinese travelers actually do here

Distilled from Chinese-language travel notes — the practical tips most English guides miss.

  • Arrive at opening to photograph the big-belly laughing Maitreya carving before tour groups cluster at its base.
  • Buy the combined ticket; almost nobody does the carvings without the adjacent temple, so the standalone option rarely makes sense.
  • Look up and along the gorge, not just at eye level; many carvings sit high on the cliff and in shaded niches.
  • The streamside path is cool and shaded, a welcome contrast to West Lake on a hot afternoon.
  • Do this as a morning, pairing it with Lingyin Temple before the lunchtime surge of visitors.
  • Wear grippy shoes; the cliff loop has uneven stone steps that get slick after rain.
  • The rare Yuan Tantric figures are easy to walk past; slow down past the main Buddha to find them.

Photos

A large buddha statue carved into rock.
brown and green statue near trees
Detailed view of ancient Buddhist stone carvings inside a weathered cave.
a close up of a face carved into a wall
Close-up of historical Buddhist stone carvings in a cave.
Ancient buddha carved into a rock face.
Show all 14 photos
Historic stone carvings depicting Buddhist figures, showcasing ancient religious art.
Ancient carved statues are displayed in a rocky alcove.
Serene Buddha statue carved into a rocky cave surrounded by nature, symbolizing tranquility.
a statue of a person
Ancient buddhist carvings in a rock face
a group of statues
Historic Buddhist rock carvings showcasing ancient art and craftsmanship.
a group of statues sitting on top of a stone wall

Watch creators visit Feilai Feng Buddhist Rock Carvings

Each clip is timestamped to the moment the creator arrives at this stop.

Walking Tour of Fei Lai Feng — Ancient Buddhist Grottos
History PieceStarts at 0:00

Frequently asked questions about Feilai Feng Buddhist Rock Carvings

Is Feilai Feng the same visit as Lingyin Temple?
They sit side by side and are almost always done together. A combined ticket covers both, and most visitors walk the carving cliff loop first, then continue into Lingyin Temple. Allow roughly 1.5 to 2 hours for Feilai Feng and around 90 minutes for the temple, making a comfortable half-day.
What exactly am I looking at on the cliff?
Feilai Feng is a limestone outcrop carved with around 335 Buddhist figures dating from the 10th to the 14th century, the densest such collection in southern China. The plump, smiling Maitreya Buddha at the base is the famous photo spot, and the unusual Yuan-dynasty Tantric figures higher up show Indian-influenced styles rare for this region.
How do I get there from West Lake?
Several direct buses, including routes 7, 7K and Y2, run from the West Lake area to the Lingyin and Feilai Feng entrance. It’s an easy ride and a logical morning outing. Go early to beat tour groups, then combine it with the adjacent temple before the midday crowds build up.

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