In 1649 during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), the court ordered Shang Kexi and Geng Jimao to conquer Baiyue (now Guangdong province); Dafo Temple was demolished in the war and became a pile of rubble.

The Zhifu (magistrate) of Guangzhou, Liu Shu (刘庶), chose Dafo Temple as the place of announcing the imperial decree.

The president of the Republic of China, Sun Yat-sen, made a plaque with an inscription of "Chanyang Sanmi" (阐扬三密; means publicizing Buddhism) as largess to Dafo Temple.

In 1922, in the name of raising the pay for the Northern Expedition and municipal construction, the government of Guangzhou intended to sell the Dafo Temple.

On March 26, 1926, after the Canton Coup, Dafo Temple was used as a classroom for the Senior political course; Zhou Enlai was the head teacher.

In 1933, Naval Commander Jiang Xiyuan invited Bazhi Toutuo (八指头陀) to Dafo Temple to propagate the Dharma.

In 1934, Xie Yingbo (谢英伯), Liang Zhiguang (梁致广), and Luo Biyu (落笔瑜) donated money to renovate Dafo Temple.

In the autumn of 1938, the Imperial Japanese army invaded south China, the abbot Bazhi Toutuo relocated to Hong Kong and the monks gradually dispersed.

Three copper statues of Grand Buddha were cut into pieces, but they escaped damage[clarification needed] during the Cultural Revolution through the personal intervention of Zhou Enlai, who was the then Chinese Premier.

[1][4] Mahavira Hall is located in the north and faces the south; covering an area of 1,200-square-metre (13,000 sq ft), it preserves the basic architectural pattern of the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).