Temple of the Five Immortals (Wuxian Guan)

The Basics

The temple features a main hall, a back hall, the First Tower of Lingnan, ponds, a well-manicured garden, and peaceful grounds. Highlights include the largest bronze bell in Guangzhou (weighing about 5 tons), a large stone statue of the five immortals, and a set of preserved footprints that are said to be of the five immortals themselves.

Visit the temple independently or as part of a guided Guangzhou walking tour and take in other Yuexiu Park highlights, including Zhenhai Tower, the Xi Guan area, and Shangxiajiu Road. Opt for a private tour to fully customize your itinerary.

Things to Know Before You Go

• The Temple of the Five Immortals is best for those with an interest in history or temple architecture.

• It’s free to enter the temple.

• This temple should not be confused with the Statue of the Five Rams in Yuexiu Park, or the Temple of Five Immortals in the Wudang Mountains.

• Parts of the temple are accessible to wheelchair users but others, including the First Tower of Lingnan, are not.

How to Get There

The Temple of the Five Immortals is located in the Yuexiu District of Guangzhou. By metro, take Line 2 to Ximenkou Station and walk about 15 minutes. Several buses also stop nearby, including bus numbers 3, 6, 66, 74, 82, 124, 217, 227, and 541.

When to Get There

The Temple of the Five Immortals is open to visitors daily in the morning and afternoon, with a break for lunch. The temple does not usually get crowded, making it a good option when other attractions are busy. A festive time to visit is during the Lantern Festival, when a temple fair is held.

Legend of the Five Immortals

According to legend, Guangzhou was founded when five immortal beings—three men and two women—appeared in the city during the reign of King Yi in the Zhou dynasty. The five immortals rode on rams and brought with them grains of rice, and they taught the people in the area how to cultivate rice. The immortals then returned to the heavens, leaving behind the five celestial rams to protect the city, and earning Guangzhou its nicknames: the City of Five Rams and Goat City.