The Heart of East Lake—Baoben Temple

In the middle of Pinghu East Lake, a road called Pagoda Road traverses the lake, connecting a small island 🏝️ with both shores. Baoben Temple is situated on this island. Due to its unique location, the temple is like the heart of East Lake ♥️, central to the lake and even to Pinghu City, protecting the city. The most famous feature of Baoben Temple is the Baoben Pagoda. Even the towering temple walls cannot block its aura. Whenever driving along Pagoda Road 🚗, the pagoda can be seen from afar, towering over the lake. Especially at night, when the illuminated pagoda is dazzling and captivating, it's the reason why this road is called Pagoda Road. The temple also contains numerous halls, each with a different purpose. The meaning of each hall can be guessed from the impressive plaques above. My favorite feature of the entire temple is the adorable round stone statue of a young novice monk seated before a stone lantern in front of the main hall. Baoben Temple isn't large overall and can be fully explored in half an hour. Its golden color, accented by the vibrant greenery, creates a refreshing and relaxing experience. It's well worth a visit while visiting Pinghu. Transportation: There are numerous bus stops near the entrance, allowing residents and tourists to easily access the area. For those traveling by car, Baoben Temple offers convenient access. There's free parking at the entrance. Expenses: Some online sources suggest an entrance fee, but there was no entrance fee on our visit.