China Guide
Jiangsu and Zhejiang
Feilai Feng
Opening time: Daily 5.30am–5.30pm
Price: ¥25
Address: 3km west of the lake (bus #7 from Yuefei Mu)
Hangzhou's most famous sights are scattered around Feilai Feng, among them the vast temple complex of Lingyin Si. The hill's bizarre name – "The Hill that Flew Here" – derives from the tale of an Indian Buddhist devotee named Hui Li who, upon arrival in Hangzhou, thought he recognized the hill from one back home in India, and asked when it had flown here. Near the entrance is the Ligong Pagoda, constructed for him.
The main feature of Feilai Feng is the hundreds of Buddhist sculptures carved into its limestone rocks. These date from between the tenth and fourteenth centuries and are the most important examples of their type to be found south of the Yangzi. Today the little Buddhas and other figurines are dotted about everywhere, moss-covered and laughing among the foliage. It's possible to follow trails right up to the top of the hill to escape the tourist hubbub.