Comparison is carried out on the difference of the lightning protection between ancient buildings and modern buildings from the characteristics of ancient buildings, taking the lightning accident at the Zijin temple of Suzhou as an example. The analysis and summary is made of the lightning accident. The reasons for the ancient include: the tall and old ginkgo tree became the flash point of a lightning strike and caused the lightning accident; the lightning counterattack induced by the ginkgo tree next around the building after the flash resulted in building damage; lightning electromagnetic impulses caused the short circuiting of the indoor circuit and then induced the fire. A systematical lightning protection design for the Rohan Room of the Zijin temple is given, with a focus on the improvement part of the overhead power lines leading directly into the Zijin temple. The results indicate that ancient buildings, the same as modern buildings, should be paid great attention in the protection of lightning electromagnetic impulses. Some lightning protection techniques can be seen from the designs of ancient buildings, which can be used as references in the lightning protection of modern architecture.