The temple fell into disrepair, but in 1956 it was carefully restored. The temple is set at the foot of the Northern Peak in a wooded area, a stream running before it. Some of the trees in front are believed to be more than 1,000 years old. The foremost temple houses a laughing Buddha carved in camphor wood and covered in gold with a carved gilt figure standing behind as a guard. Both figures are set under a two-eaves wooden canopy decorated in red and gold.
Ornate lamps hang on either side.
If you are visiting in September during the autumn equinox, you may be able to see one of the most unusual sighs in the world. A tidal bore gathers momentum in the Gulf of Hangzhou, surges into the mouth of the Qiangtang River, and races up the river, at a height of up to 30 ft. and a speed of more than 15m. In ancient times the governors or Hangzhou used to have arrows fired at these waves in an attempt to quell their destructive force. Nowadays more effective methods are used.