The temple was founded in the
Yuan dynasty, was destroyed and then became part of a large classical garden, Xiyuan or West Garden (). The garden belonged to a Senior Government Official during the
Ming Dynasty. When he died, his son donated the garden to the monastery. Most of the buildings were destroyed during the
Taiping Rebellion in 1860. It was rebuilt after the war. The temple is known for its statues, Arhat Hall and Free Life Pond, where 2 famous long-life
Asian Giant Softshell Turtles lived. One turtle died in 2007 at the age of 400, and the other has disappeared. File:Asian Giant Softshell Turtle.jpg|Asian Giant Soft shell Turtle Statue File:Free Life Pond.jpg|Free Life Pond File:Chinese Guardian Lion.jpg|Guardian Lion Statue ==References==