[1][2] Caotang Temple traces its origins to the former Xiaoyang Garden (逍遥园), founded by Emperor Yao Xing of Later Qin (384–417) in 401 in order to provide accommodation for renowned Buddhist missionary monk Kumārajīva.

[3] In 606, in the 2nd year of Daye period of Sui dynasty (581–618), Li Yuan, the then prefectural governor of Zhengzhou, visited and presented a Buddha statue to the temple.

After the establishment of the Tang Empire (618–907), Emperor Taizong came to worship the Buddha and wrote poems in the temple.

During the reign of Emperor Xuanzong (685–762), Master Feixi (飞锡) settled at Caotang Temple, where he taught Buddhism for many years.

In 1193, in the reign of Emperor Zhangzong of Jin dynasty (1115–1234), Master Bianzheng (辨正) added lecture hall and it restored the original name.

Main structures from the Shanmen to the Abbot's Room are aligned with the central axis and divided into five courtyards.

Under the eaves is a plaque with the Chinese characters "Caotang Temple" written by Zhao Puchu, the then president of the Buddhist Association of China.

In the center of the eaves of the hall is a plaque "Xiaoyang Sanzang" (逍遥三藏) written by monk Miaokuo (妙括) in 1947.

The jade statue of Reclining Buddha enshrined in the hall, which was presented by a Burmese Fu Fengying (傅凤英) in 1994.

Occupying an area of 3,760-square-metre (40,500 sq ft), the Buddhist Texts Library has a double-eave gable and hip roof.

At the bottom of the bell are engraved with patterns of various flying phoenixes, dragons, lions, Bagua, etc.