The temple was originally built by an exceptional Chan master Dong'an (洞安) in 1667, after Kangxi Emperor (1662–1722) ascended the throne during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911). The temple had reached unprecedented heyday in the reign of Qianlong Emperor (1736–1795) while abbot Youtan (优昙) preached Buddhism here.[3]
The temple covers a building area of 3,500-square-metre (38,000 sq ft).
Now the existing main buildings include Mahavira Hall, Bell tower, Drum tower, and ring-rooms.
Zhang Yuhuan (2012). "Dewy Pine Trees All Over the Mountains: Ganlu Temple on Mount Jiuhua" 《满山松针尽挂甘露:九华山甘露寺》. 《图解中国著名佛教寺院》 [Illustration of Famous Buddhist Temples in China] (in Chinese). Beijing: Contemporary China Publishing House. ISBN978-7-5154-0135-5.