Compact stage
Tucked at the top of Wushan’s main path, Dongyue Temple (also known as Zhongxing Dongyue Temple) is one of the city’s lesser-known historical gems. It’s been rebuilt, but the layout and feel remain intact.
At the entrance, a bold plaque reads “善恶昭彰” — meaning “good and evil will be clearly judged.” A traditional moral phrase, it sets the tone for what this place once meant to local believers.
Just behind the gate stands Hangzhou’s last remaining ancient opera stage. It’s compact but beautifully built, with flying eaves, red-and-gold detailing, and carved ridge creatures shaped like fish and dragons.
Inside the main hall stands a pair of dragon-carved stone pillars — believed to date from the early Qing dynasty, and the only known example of their kind in Hangzhou.
A quiet rear shrine and a pair of 500-year-old catalpa trees in the courtyard complete the experience. Calm and atmospheric, this is a lovely detour if you’re exploring the Wushan area.