Dazhao Temple

Dazhao Temple

Dazhao Temple is located in the northern Hohhot. Built in 1580, it is the first Lamaism Temple in Hohhot.Dazhao Temple, ‘Wuliang Si (Infinite Temple)’ in Chinese, is the oldest building and the largest temple in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Locally, people usually refer to it as the Silver Buddha Temple (Yinfo Si) for it is here that there is a rare silver statue of Sakyamuni that measures 2.5-meter-high (8.2-foot-high).

The temple covers an area of 30,000 square meters, with the construction area of more than 8,000 square meters. The main architectures in Dazhao Temple are the main gate, the Heavenly King Palace, the Bodhi Palace, the Scripture Hall and the Buddha Hall. The Scripture Hall and the Buddha Hall are well connected, and so called the Grand Hall.

The construction of the temple was completed in 1580 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and it is therefore the oldest Lamaist Buddhist temple in Inner Mongolia. There was a major reconstruction in 1640 although much of the original architectural style was retained.

Dazhao Temple owns its fame to a visit by the third Tibetan Dalai Lama in 1586, when he came to dedicate the Silver Buddha statue. As a consequence Hohhot became a religious center for people from all over Mongolia who came to worship. Another notable event in the temple’s long history was a visit by Emperor Kangxi during the early part of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).

The temple is now a well-known tourist attraction because of the impressive buildings, splendid statues, delicate frescos, musical instruments and fine collection of Buddhist scriptures. Of its abundant religious relics perhaps the most notable are the ‘Three Marvelous Treasures’, a title given to the Silver Buddha, the carved dragons on the huge golden pillars on either side of the statue and the murals commemorating the Emperor’s visit.

Except for the main hall, the existing buildings within the Dazhao Temple complex are nearly all in the Han style. The main hall is a lamasery combining both Tibetan and Han styles of architecture. It has three parts. The front part is a two-story hall with an empty pavilion in the first floor; Jing Tang (the hall for chanting) and Fo Tang (the hall for worshiping Buddha) are central and rear sections. The perfectly preserved Silver Buddha lies in Fo Tang as it has for some four hundred years. In the splendid and solemn front of the hall, there is a pair of iron lions with their heads held high.

The temple is now a well-known tourist attraction because of the impressive buildings, splendid statues, delicate frescos, musical instruments and fine collection of Buddhist scriptures. Of its abundant religious relics perhaps the most notable are the “Three Marvelous Treasures”, a title given to the Silver Buddha, the carved dragons on the huge golden pillars on either side of the statue and the murals commemorating the Emperor’s visit.

Treasures in Dazhao Temple
There are three famous treasures in Dazhao Temple, namely, the silver Buddha figure, the dragon carvings, and the wall paintings. All of them are the historic treasures in Ming Dynasty with high art and appreciation values.

Dazhao TempleSilver Buddha Figure
The silver Buddha figure refers to the state of Sakyamuni which is set in the main hall. This state has a history more than 400 years, as one of the biggest silver Buddha figure n China. With a height of 3 meters, the figure is in a sitting posture.

Dragon Carvings
Dragon carvings refer to the two golden dragons which are set on both sides of the silver Buddha figure. These two dragons are carved on the mail pillars of the hall. The lively figure and the splendid atmosphere are symbols of the elaborate skill of artists.

Wall Paintings
Wall paintings are very outstanding in Dazhao Temple. The rich contents, colorful descriptions and lively pictures in these paintings tell visitors various Buddhism stories in an interesting method. These elaborate wall paintings show the professional skills of artists in Ming Dynasty. And they are still kept well till now since the ancient time.

Recommended Guilin Tours Including a Visit of  Dazhao Temple

Inner Mongolia Private Tour  5 Days Inner Mongolia tour package                        
  
Tour Style: private Tour
  Departure Date: Daily Tour
  Attraction:Xilamuren Grassland,Resonant Sand Gorge,Dazhao Temple,Hohhot museum,five tower temple,Xilituzhao Palace
  Service:English speaking tour guide + vehicle + entrance fees

  Price from:US$330                                                      

Inner Mongolia Private Tour  6 Days Inner Mongolia Impression Tour                   
  
Tour Style: private Tour
  Departure Date: Daily Tour
  Attraction:Xilamuren Grassland,Resonant Sand Gorge,Wudangzhao Monastery,Dazhao Temple
  Service:English speaking tour guide + vehicle + entrance fees

  Price from:US$390                                                      

Inner Mongolia Private Tour  6 Days Grassland & Desert Adventure Tour              
  Tour Style: private Tour
  Departure Date: Daily Tour
  Attraction:Xilamuren Grassland,Resonant Sand Gorge,Genghis Khan’s Mausoleum,Dazhao Temple,Hohhot museum
  Service:English speaking tour guide + vehicle + entrance fees

  Price from:US$415