An ancient temple with red walls, gray incense burners, green tiles, and colorful bracketed eaves, all set against the golden hues of ginkgo leaves—being in such a place evokes a serene and tranquil mood.
After returning to Chengdu from western Sichuan, I learned online that the ginkgo trees at Ciyun Temple on Jinding Mountain in Jintang had turned golden. Intrigued, I drove for about an hour to the temple. Upon arriving, I parked in the lot outside the temple gate, paid a parking fee of 10 yuan, and stepped inside.
Ciyun Temple is an ancient temple with a history of over 1,800 years. Originally named Tiangong Temple, it was founded during the Southern Qi and Liang dynasties. During the Tianbao period of Emperor Xuanzong's reign in the Tang Dynasty, it was renamed Ciyun Temple, becoming one of the ten most renowned temples of the Tang era.
I’m not particularly interested in religious temple culture, so when visiting temples, I usually focus on the architecture. This visit was no exception—I came primarily for the ancient ginkgo trees that have stood here for over a thousand years.
Walking slowly through Ciyun Temple, I saw two ginkgo trees—one tall and one short, one male and one female—standing side by side in front of the Mahavira Hall. Towering above the temple’s eaves, their golden leaves shimmered against the backdrop of red walls and green tiles, creating a breathtaking scene. The ground was blanketed with fallen leaves, forming a golden carpet. These are the famous "Couple Ginkgo Trees," standing across from each other as if watching over and waiting for one another. For over a millennium, they have thrived together, silently narrating their timeless love story to the world.
In the golden autumn, Ciyun Temple is enveloped by ancient trees and towering ginkgoes. The fragrance of incense lingers, and Buddhist chants resonate in the air. When the autumn breeze stirs, golden leaves flutter down, covering the ground. Together with the temple’s red walls, green tiles, eaves, and incense burners, the scene exudes an extraordinary sense of tranquility. Even someone like me, who is not particularly drawn to Buddhist culture, couldn’t help but feel the temple’s Zen-like peace.