"Young people consider temple visits fashionable, which is another reason such trips have become popular," Shu said.

Online influencers sharing their experience of soaring temple eaves, celestial music and texts advocating healthy lifestyles have attracted considerable attention from their followers.

Experts said young people also visit temples to stay in mountainous areas to watch dawn and sunset at a relatively low cost.

Shu said the enthusiasm for temples shows that the cultural and tourism industries need to pay close attention to social trends to create products that provide more spiritual experiences.

Tan, the travel blogger, said he would definitely return to Nuonata Temple at the end of this year, perhaps as a volunteer.

"The people there were so content. They smiled at us whenever they crossed our path. Everything was so peaceful that you simply became immersed in the positive energy and became part of it all," Tan said.

"This helps you realize what is most important in life."

yangfeiyue@chinadaily.com.cn