Dating back to 1500 years, Guangxiao Temple in Guangzhou in China boasts of being one of the four magnificent temples of the province. The site is a must visit on sightseeing tours in Guangzhou. The temple is said to precede Guangzhou itself. The temple enjoys a pride of place in Chinese Buddhist history. Right from the time of the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) it was a holy site for various monks from far and wide to preach sacred sermons. It is believed to have been built as a palace for a prince of the Nanyue Kingdom (206BC–24AD) – a Chinese–northern Vietnamese kingdom – becoming a center for Chinese Buddhism. Features of Guangxiao Temple in Guangzhou: - The temple encloses the Mahavira hall, Sleeping Buddha Statue, Bodhi trees, Jialian Palace, Sakyamuni Hall, Samgharama Hall, the King of Heaven Hall and East and West Iron Pagodas. The West iron Pagoda was built in 963 and is believed to be the oldest iron pagoda in the country. The East Iron Pagoda built in 967 is seven storied and 7.69 meters high. - Huineng, one of the six founders of Buddhism in China, had his hair shaven in this temple. Later monks of the temple built the pagoda to inhume his hair. The Pagoda is a seven storied structure built with sand, stone and brick measuring upto 7.8 meters height. - The complex preserves historic remains of ancient structures and famous characters.