China is my second home — I've been running tours here for over ten years. In that time I've visited countless cities and villages, yet even I still stumble upon places that amaze with their sincerity and warmth. One such discovery was Yangu Temple, hidden in the mountains of Zhejiang Province. I went there not for ancient statues or pagodas, but to meet a macaque named Xinxin — a one-armed monkey whose story has touched millions of hearts.
🗺️ How to Get to Yangu Temple
I first saw clips of Xinxin on social media — they went viral in no time. I wanted to come and see for myself that this wasn't just a pretty legend. The temple is located near the town of Ninghai, about a 3.5-hour drive from Shanghai. I set off before dawn to arrive by noon.
The road wound through serpentine curves among green hills. When I pulled up to the temple, I was greeted by deep silence — only the wind rustling the bamboo and a faint scent of incense. No tourist groups, just ancient walls and stillness.
🐒 First Meeting with Xinxin
I was climbing the stone stairs toward the temple when I suddenly heard a light rustle behind me. I turned around — and saw her: small, fluffy, with one intact ear and expressive eyes. Xinxin approached me without a hint of fear, as if she had been waiting. I froze, afraid to break the moment.
A minute later, an elderly nun came out of a small house — the very woman who, more than ten years ago, had rescued the monkey from a poacher's trap. She waved to me warmly and invited me in. It turned out that Xinxin had lost her arm, but the nun nursed her back to health, and now the two are inseparable. The macaque trusts her savior completely and never leaves the temple grounds.
📷 My Photo and Video Report
I brought my camera and captured several touching moments. Here are the best shots.
To my surprise, Xinxin showed no interest in the banana — she simply gestured for me to put it on the table. As I later learned, she had already eaten several bananas before my arrival and was clearly full.
Then I offered her a peach — she took it, sniffed it, nibbled a couple of times, and set it aside, deciding to save it for later.
A tomato, though, she devoured with great appetite — the whole thing, not a scrap left. Later the nun brought her a couple more tomatoes, and Xinxin happily gobbled them up.
🤗 Games and Interaction
The most surprising part was that Xinxin turned out to be very playful and curious. She nimbly grabbed the treats and even allowed herself to be petted — but strictly on her own terms. The nun warned me that the monkey dislikes intrusiveness, and I respected her personal space.
💡 What I Took Away from This Trip
After spending a few hours at the temple, I realized that Xinxin is not just an animal. She is a living symbol of mercy and devotion. The nun gave her a second life, and the monkey, in return, brings joy and a sense of wonder to every visitor.
As I was getting ready to leave, the grandmother said: "You came with a pure heart, and Xinxin felt it." Those words stayed with me for a long time.
- come before noon — the monkey is most active and sociable in the morning;
- don't make sudden movements or raise your voice;
- offer treats only with the nun's permission (apples, grapes or tomatoes work best);
- don't forget to leave a donation for the temple's upkeep — it helps sustain the sanctuary.
Now I know for sure: this place is one of the most unusual and soulful in Eastern China. And I'll gladly show it to you.
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