明岩古寺

Mingyan Ancient Temple

Useful Information

Location:	Lingming Line, Tiantai County, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 317205. (29.0885974, 120.8258318)
Open:	All year daily. [2025]
Fee:	free. [2025]
Classification:	Karst Cave
Light:	bring torch
Dimension:
Guided tours:
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Mingyan Ancient Temple, Lingming Line, Tiantai County, Taizhou, Zhejiang, 317205, Tel: +86-.
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History

Description

明岩古寺 (Mingyan Ancient Temple) is a huge complex of Buddhist temples which was built into a secluded valley. The narrow gorge has numerous spacious shelters, which are almost caves, but are mostly lit by daylight. Over the centuries the temple was built not only in the valley but also into the adjacent caves.

These are tectonic caves created by movements of the rocks as a result of erosion, which cause a steep gradient. The blocks moved apart or simply collapsed, enclosing some space. The results are huge chambers with almost plain walls and no speleothems. The rocks are sandstones and conglomerates.