Lingyin Temple: free entry, reserved slots
Lingyin Temple (Lingyin Si) is one of the best-known Buddhist temples in Hangzhou. The Feilai Feng area around it, which includes the Lingyin, Yongfu and Taoguang temples, has had no entry fee since 1 December 2025. There is no second temple ticket on top of the area ticket, so entry is CNY 0.
Free does not mean walk-in. Since 1 February 2026, you reserve online in advance, or you join the online waiting list. If you travel with a tour, check how the booking is handled. A tour does not cancel the reservation rule, and groups are booked by the travel company. See Hangzhou tours for options.
Our picks: Lingyin Temple
Our take: the two tickets cover the temple and Feilai Feng without a guide. The car tour adds the lake and Xiaohe Street.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Lingyin Temple, West Lake and Xiaohe Street by car
- Car for the day
- Guide and tickets with the all-inclusive option
A car for the day; the guide and tickets come only with the all-inclusive option, so check what you book.
Check availability โ
Lingyin Temple and Feilai Feng entry ticket
- Lingyin Temple
- Feilai Feng grottoes
Entry to the temple and the Feilai Feng grottoes, without a guide.
Check availability โLingyin and Feilai Feng admission with your passport
- Lingyin scenic area with Feilai Feng
- Entry with passport number
Self-service entry with your passport number; the shuttle inside the area is extra.
Check availability โHangzhou tours with Lingyin Temple
Day trips and tours around West Lake, with live prices and availability.
How the reservation works
Book early, and keep your passport with you.
When to book
Reserve at least 1 day and at most 7 days ahead. New slots open at 08:00. Morning visits run 07:30โ12:00 and afternoon visits 12:00โ17:00.
Where to book
Use the WeChat or Alipay mini program called ๆญๅท็ต้้ฃๆฅๅณฐ. Foreign visitors can reserve with a passport. Bring the original document, because it is checked at the gate.
Waiting list
If slots are full, you can apply to the online waiting list until 20:00 the evening before. You get in only if the list assigns you a place.
Cancel on time
Cancel by 17:00 the day before. If you do not cancel and do not check in by 17:00 on the day, your booking account can be blocked. The first block is 30 days, then 60, then 90.
Who is exempt
People aged 70 and over, and holders of certain Chinese documents, do not need to reserve. Do not assume that a disability card from another country counts.
Opening hours: the area and the halls
Two levels with two sets of times.
| Part | Opens | Last entry | Closes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feilai Feng area | 07:30 | 17:00 | 17:30 |
| Lingyin Temple halls | 07:30 | 17:30 | 18:00 |
| Evening visits | โ | โ | Not open to the public |
The temple times do not replace the area cutoff. For most visitors, the safe plan is a morning slot, with 17:00 as the hard limit for getting through the gate.
Feilai Feng and the temple halls
At Feilai Feng you walk along a rock face with carved figures, among them the laughing Buddha. The temple halls sit among old trees, and the paths between them include steps. Take your time on the climbs and wear shoes with grip. After heavy rain, paths can be wet, and slopes may have loose stone, so follow the signs.
The temple hands out 3 incense sticks free of charge. Do not bring your own incense or candles, and burn only at the marked places. Treat the old structures with care.
Getting to Lingyin Temple
Autumn rules affect cars and taxis.
By car
From September to November, on weekends and public holidays from 08:00 to 17:00, driving depends on the last digit of the plate: odd or even must match the date. On the roads at Lingyin and on Nanshan Road between Yanggongdi and Yuhuangshan Road, you also need a Xihu Tong application at least 1 day ahead, with one use per vehicle per calendar month.
By taxi or app
In autumn, drivers can drop you at Xixi Road 608 or at Xiaoyawu for Lingyin. Expect a walk from there, and do not count on a drop at the gate.
How to get to West Lake โPlan the day
Lingyin and the tea villages are separate stops with their own travel time. Give each its own part of the day instead of squeezing them together.
Longjing tea villages โPlan the rest of your trip
More stops near the temple and the lake.
Lingyin Temple: frequently asked questions
Is Lingyin Temple free?
Yes. The Feilai Feng area, including the Lingyin, Yongfu and Taoguang temples, has been free since 1 December 2025. There is no second temple ticket, so the regular price is CNY 0.
Do I need to reserve?
Yes, with few exceptions. Since 1 February 2026 you reserve online or join the online waiting list. Book at least 1 day and at most 7 days ahead.
Can foreign visitors reserve?
Yes, with a passport. Bring the original document to the gate.
What are the opening hours?
The area is open 07:30โ17:30, with last entry at 17:00. The temple halls open at 07:30, stop admitting at 17:30 and close at 18:00. They are not open for evening visits.
What happens if I do not show up?
Cancel by 17:00 the day before. Without a cancellation or a check-in by 17:00 on the day, the account can be blocked for 30 days, then 60, then 90.
Is this an official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It has no link to Lingyin Temple, the West Lake Scenic Area or the city of Hangzhou.