Must Visit Temples in Chengde

While touring to Chengde, except for the Summer Mountain Resort, temples in town are also another must visit attractions in Chengde. The Mountain Resort and its outlying temples together consist of a classic masterpiece of Chinese palace architecture, religious architecture and gardening art. By integrating elements of Han, Tibetan and Mongolian architectural culture and art, the Outlying Temples crystallize the achievements of cultural exchanges and integration among different ethnic groups in the course of development of Chinese architecture. Temples in Chengde are divided into Tibetan temple, Han temple and Han-Tibetan temple according to the architectural style.

Outside the walls of the Chengde Imperial Dwelling Palace (that is, the Mountain Resort), temples in the Mongolian, Han, Tibetan styles are found scattered among the nearby hills. Built on a larger scale than any of the temples of Beijing, they are collectively known as Waibamiao (Eight Outer Temples or the Eight Temples Beyond the Great Wall); In fact, there were originally 11 temples, of which only seven now remain. Since there are so many temples in town, which should I visit to see the best one in a short time? Here I would like to introduce some must visit temples in Chengde, which are easily to get and can give you a visual feast!

Puning Temple - the largest temple group in Chengde

Puning Temple is also known as the Temple of Universal Peace. It is the Buddhist temple complex in Han-Tibet style built in 1755 in Qing Dynasty of China. This temple houses the awesome statue of Guanyin with one-thousand hands and eyes. This statue measures 22 meters high and is the tallest wooden Buddhist statue in the world, which has been listed into the Guinness Book of Records. Each of the fingers on its 42 arms of the statue stands a smaller image, 1.2 meters tall, Occupies an area of over 30,000 square meters, it is the largest temple group in northern China. The temple complex is divided into two parts and the main buildings are distributed beside the central axis. Inside the first courtyard of the temple is a pavilion containing a stela inscribed with the record of the temple's construction in Han, Tibetan and Mongolian. The Mahavira Hall, the Hall of the Great Vehicle and Hall of the Great Vehicle are main buildings inside.

This temple is the most popular temple in Chengde. It should be on hte top of your Chengde Itinerary in addition to the Summer Resort. Photographing is not allowed inside the temple.

The Temple of Sumeru Happiness and Longevity 

The Temple of Sumeru Happiness and Longevity was the imperial palace for short stays away from the capital for emperors. It is located at the foot of a mountain to the north of the Chengde Summer Resort. It was built in 1780 in accordance with the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet. As a typical Tibetan-style structure, it was backed by the mountain and there are no main structures in Han-Chinese style in the temple.

Putuo Zongcheng Temple - Mini Potala Palace in Chengde 

Putuo Zongcheng Temple, also called the Temple of the Potaraka Doctrine is also known as Mini Potala Palace Chengde. It is located directly north of the Mountain Manor for escaping the Summer Heat. The temple was built based on the Potala Palace of Tibet, the old sanctuary of the Dalai Lama built a century earlier. It represents a fusion of Han and Tibetan architectural styles. It can be reached by Bus 6 directly.
 
The Temple of Universal Happiness (Pu Le Temple)

The Temple of Universal Happiness was built in 1766 in honor of the representatives of the Kazak, who came to Chengde for audiences with Emperor Qianlong, together with other ethnic peoples. It features a combination of Tibetan-style and Han-style structures. Here is home to many Buddha statues, including many Exoteric and Esoteric Buddha statues. In addition to the exquisite Buddha statutes, colorful decorations and a variety of glazed ornaments on the architecture are important elements which make the whole Pule Temple attractive and magnificent.

Shu Xiang Temple 

Shu Xiang Temple is located near to Summer Resort to the north and Putuo Zongcheng Temple to the west. It is a typical Han-style architecture.

An Yuan Temple (Temple of Distant Peace) 

An Yuan Temple is one of the Eight Outer Temples of Chengde. It was built in 1756 by Emperor Qianlong following his victory over the Dzungar people of Outer Mongolia.