Dazhao Temple

» Hohhot, Inner Mongolia

Dazhao Temple Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The temple was originally built in the Han Dynasty, and received fame in the early periods of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) because of a visit by Emperor Kangxi. Dazhao Temple is well-known for the impressive buildings, splendid statues, delicate murals, musical instruments and fine collection of Buddhist scriptures.

Stories of the Temple

The Temple was originally built in the Han Dynasty. It was completed in 1580 during the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) and is the oldest Lama Buddhist temple in Inner Mongolia. It went through a major reconstruction in 1640, but much of the original architectural style was retained. In Kangxi Year of Qing Dynasty about in 1700, the temple was rebuilt again. The roof of the main hall was changed to pave yellow glazed tiles. After rebuilt, the Temple became very beautiful and full of Tibetan Buddhist color.

Dazhao Temple received fame in the early periods of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911) because of a visit by Emperor Kangxi. Then the temple was dedicated to him, and a gold tablet proclaiming in characters "Long Live the Emperor" was set before the silver Sakyamuni. In respect to this imperial favor, from this time onwards the temple also became one of the few in the province that nullified the practice of choosing a new living Buddha after the old had passed away.

Names of the Temple

The Dazhao Temple is called Yikezhao Temple in Mongolian and means large temple. The original name was the Hongci Temple in Han Dynasty when it was completed to enlarge. In the temple the statue of Sakyamuni was made of silver entirely, so the Hongci Temple is also called the Silver Buddha Temple by local people.

Why do visit

The temple is well-known for the impressive buildings, splendid statues, delicate murals, musical instruments and fine collection of Buddhist scriptures among which the most notable are the "Three Marvelous Treasures"- 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.

The Silver Buddha

Dazhao Temple is also called the Silver Buddha Temple, for there is a 400-year-old statue of Sakyamuni inside. It stands 2.55 meters high and cast mostly from silver.

Layout

Including the main hall, the Dazhao Temple completely retains the original layout and structure of the temple in Han Dynasty. The main hall is the usual appearance of Lama temple with the type of mixed Han and Tibet and divided into three parts: the front part has three rooms and up and down two-floor front hall, the area of down floor is fairly vast and it is the winding corridor.

Getting around

Middle part is the hall for reciting scriptures. The back is the Buddhist hall, in the center of the hall the sliver statue of Sakyamuni is worshipped, before the statue there is a couple of gold wooden huge pillars. On the pillar there carved a dragon. In front of the hall there are a couple of hollow stone powerful lions. Passing the main hall, you can see it still has passing hall, east and west side halls, scriptures building, the nine-room building and etc.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 8:00a.m. - 6:00p.m.

Getting there

By bus: No. 1

Attractions around » Hohhot, Inner Mongolia

Natural Scene

• Xilamuren Prairie
• Huitengxile Grassland

Historical Site

• Zhaojun Tomb
• Dazhao Temple
• Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Xilitu Zhao

Cultural Site

• Inner Mongolia Museum

Dazhao Temple Highlights

Temple & Monastery in Great China

• Shaolin Temple
• Temple of Heaven
• Jokhang Temple
• Confucius Temple
• A-Ma Temple
• Palkhor Monastery
• Sera Temple
• Drepung Temple
• Rongbuk Temple
• Songzanlin Temple
• Id Kah Mosque
• Lingyin Temple
• Labrang Temple
• Great Buddha at Lingshan
• Golden Temple
• Yuantong Temple
• Tashilhunpo Temple
• Sakya Temple
• Temple of Universal Peace
• Putuo Zongcheng Temple
• Eight Outer Temples
• Famen Temple
• Great Mosque
• Nanputuo Temple
• Jade Buddha Temple
• Town God Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Lama Temple
• White Cloud Temple
• Tar Temple
• Santa Sophia Church
• 108 Dagobas
• Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
• White Horse Temple
• Qiongzhu Temple
• Hanging Temple
• Hanshan Temple
• Gaomiao Temple at Zhongwei
• Giant Buddha Temple
• Xiangguo Temple
• Yufeng Lamastery
• Chongshansi Temple
• Dule Temple
• Anyuan Temple
• White Horse Pagoda
• Trandruk Temple
• Dai Temple
• Pagoda of Songyue Temple
• Ramoche Temple
• Guanlin Temple
• Huayan Temple
• Kaiyuan Temple
• Samye Temple
• Jinci Temple
• Confucius Temple
• Ganden Temple
• Dabeiyuan Temple
• Wuhou Memorial Temple
• Shanhua Temple
• Ruins of St. Paul's
• Temple of Universal Happiness
• Great Bell Temple
• Qingjing Mosque
• Hongfu Temple
• Dazhao Temple
• Five Pagoda Temple
• Baoguo Temple
• Wudangzhao Temple
• Shalu Temple
• Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center
• Longhua Temple
• Jile Temple
• Chengtiansi Pagoda
• Nanguan Muslim Mosque
• Qingyanggong Temple
• Ba Xian An Temple
• Tianhou Palace
• Guiyuan Temple
• Linggu Temple
• Najiahu Mosque at Yongning
• Haibao Pagoda
• Xilitu Zhao
• Dongguan Mosque
• Jiegu Temple

Dazhao Temple FAQ & Travelers's Tips

  Weather

1. Some tips for grassland weather there

  Food

1. What are the characteristics of local diet there?

  Travel

1. Some tips for you to have a pleasant tour
2. Wanna to ride a horse? Read this one

  Customs

1. What interesting festivals and celebrities do they have?

  Other Hints

1. What customs should we know before going there?

• Some tips for grassland weather there

  Yeah, before going there, you need to know something about the weather.

  Situated in inland area, Inner Mongolia's climate is a little bit drier, sunshine is enough, so you'd better bring the things like lipstick, sunhat, sunscreen and try to drink more water.

  The weather here changes swiftly, the temperature difference between day and night is large; and rain is always together with wind, so remember to bring long-sleeved clothes in case it is cold.

  Especially, if you come here in Oct when temperature is low in the morning and wind is strong at night, please wear warmer clothes, such as short windcoat, sweater. It is above 0C to a dozen degree in the middle of Sep. Kaput can be hired here.

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• What are the characteristics of local diet there?

  The diet of Inner Mongolia is mainly Northern cuisine, the taste is a little bit strong, but cooks in restaurants can provide you good dishes with local specialties according to tourists' taste.

  Something you need to bear in mind:

  • Never eat watermelon right after mutton in case of causing pain in your bowels;

  • Never drink milk tea, and eat watermelon and mutton at the same time, then you will feel uncomfortable by excessive gas.

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• If it is your first time on prairie tour, read this

  So, before enjoying this fabulous tour, the followings may help you have a more pleasant tour:

  1. Sunshine is strong on the grassland, so bring the things like sunscreen, sunhat, sun umbrella.

  2. Please obey the guidance of our tour guide, see flowers, grass, wild animals within safety area; never go into depth in case of dangerous animals like snakes.

  3. During the trip, please pay attention to safety on the road, never stick your head out of the moving vehicles; and take commonly used drugs in case you feel dizzy when on the meadow road, it will rock.

  4. Attention to environmental protection. After enjoying beautiful prairie scenery, please take garbage away to protect the environment.

  5. In case of falling ill on a different land, please bring the commonly used drugs like cold medicine, band-aid, heatstroke preventive, antidiarrheic, medicine for insects' biting.

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• Wanna to ride a horse? Read this one

  1. Before riding a hose, please listen to the horse trainer carefully; avoid extravagant act and gestures when approaching horses gradually from left front or it may frighten them.

  2. Before riding a horse, please make sure your dress are ready. If you want to ride a horse, you'd better choose tight clothes and shoes, like boots or sports shoes, so your ankles won't be rubbed. Please tighten your clothes, hat, and scarf before riding, in case they become loose by wind to frighten horses. Carry-on items always drop in grass, very different to find.

  3. If it is your first time to ride a horse, you'd better ask a horse trainer to lead it for you. He will tell you some basic knowledge. Never touch others' horses by your hands or feet.

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What interesting festivals and celebrities do they have?

Inner Mongolia has rich national culture; horse riding, wrestling, and archery are called "men's three skills." Also, the famous Nadam Fair is held in late July, showing the glorious culture of Mongolian song and dance, sports, athletics, clothes, food & drinks and so on.

Aobao-worshipping festival is a traditional religious activity. Mongolian people take Aobao as sacred place. Have delicious Shoupa rou (boiled mutton eaten with hands)! The mutton comes from sheep fed by fresh grass. It is easy to make, without any condiment, just a good cooking skill can make it tasty! When enjoying it, you will need nothing but your hands, Mongolian people offer Khatag when they welcome guests, give presents, visit each other on festivals.

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• What customs should we know before going there?

  As the saying goes, "Do in Rome as the Romans do."

  • There are more customs, please obey our tour guides, respect local customs and habits to have a pleasant trip.

  • Please take it serious when taking part in Aobao-worshipping festival instead of offering advices, saying this or that; never shout at or chase host's dog in front of the ger.

  • The Mongolians have been hospitable since ancient times. They welcome guests with wine but never force them to drink it; however, guests who can't drink should take the silver bowl with both hands to show your thanks.

  • Lovely livestock. Meet herd in the grassland, please don't go through the herd, instead, no matter passenger or vehicles should bypass them, to show your respect to the herdowner.

  • Offering Khatag. Khatag is a must for Mongolians to make daily manners. When offering Khatag, host sing greetings with good health and good fortune; guests should accept it a little bit bent-forwarded to let host put it on your neck. At last, guests put hands in front of chest to show your thanks.

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