As per the piece of history printed in their ticket, the shrine was first built in 247 AD in the Wu Kingdom. This temple is considered to have played a significant role in the evolution of Chinese Buddhism over the last 1740 plus years.
A huge monastery behind with hundreds of rooms for monks is a must-see.
As Dharma is the guiding pillar of this temple, Indians should or should not be surprised by seeing Ashoka Chakra and the four lions (the Indian national emblem) all around with a lot of Chinese and Indian (Sanskrit) motifs and representations.
The frescos and the huge ceramic work behind the main Buddha statue show stories from India, I think, with women in Sarees, Indian ornaments, Buddha as a young king (with the holy thread around his shoulders!) and structures probably denoting Hindu temples. It was one great monument!
How beautiful!
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