Eight Outer Temples Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information
Eight Outer Temples is just a popular name, but in fact there are 12 lamaseries in all. They were built between 1713 and 1780 to accommodate Mongol and Tibetan emissaries.The Mountain Resort together with the majestic temples is the formation of unified entity. It is the miniature of the glorious land of China. In December 1994, Eight Outer Temples together with the Imperial Summer Resort were listed as the World Cultural Heritage.
When they were built
Among the Eight Outer Temples, Temple of Universal Love (Puren Temple) and Temple of Universal Kindness (Pushan Temple) were built during the reign of Emperor Kangxi; the other ten temples were built during the reign of Emperor Qianlong. Emperors built so many temples in order to follow the customs of Mongolia and Tibet minorities believing Lamaism.
Great significance
The significance is that the Eight Outer Temples symbolize the various ethnic groups from all parts of China directing their loyalty toward the center of authority. In that historic situation, that comes to the purpose of "to defend frontier, to unit hearts of inner side and outer side and to make the country stable" and gets to the effect of "One temple in Qing Dynasty was more powerful than thousands of soldiers." The remaining inscriptions and cultural and cultural exchange among different nationalities at the beginning of Qing Dynasty and showed the historical process of unity, consolidation and development of the multinational country.
Unique style
Different from Chengde Mountain Resort, Eight Outer Temples were built with attractive, fresh and beautiful color such as colored glaze tiles and gold-plating scale roof; they look really spectacular and marvelous. These temples were mainly used by the upper classes and dignitaries of the west and north minorities in China to have an audience with the emperor.
The architecture mainly built in three manners: Tibetan style, Han style and the mixture of the two. These ornate majestic and resplendent temples are sharp contrasts to the palace complex of its primitive simplicity with green bricks and grey tiles. Twelve temples have experienced hardships for more than two hundred years; seven of them are in good condition and open to public.
Have a look
Whether observing these temples from within the resort, or vice versa, one can derive immense artistic enjoyment from what meets the eye. Six temples are now open to tourists - Putuo Zongchengzhi Temple, Temple of Universal Peace, Xumi Fushouzhi Temple, Temple of Universal Happiness, Anyuan Temple, and Puyou Temple. Each one has its own particular features and special appeal.
Putuo Zongchengzhi Temple
Putuo Zongcheng Temple is one part of Eight Outer Temples. Nicknamed the "Little Potala Palace," Putuo Zongcheng Temple represents a fusion of Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles. It served as a symbol of the unifying power of the Qing Empire over a diversity of peoples and cultures. This Qing Dynasty era Buddhist temple complex was built between 1767 and 1771 by Qing emperor Qianlong to celebrate his 60th birthday and his mother's 80th birthday, to host nobles from the minority peoples of Mongolia, Qinghai and Xinjiang who came to join in his birthday celebrations.
Temple of Universal Peace (Puning Si)
As one of the Eight Outer Temples in Chengde, the Temple of Universal Peace has also in its time been known as the Big Buddha Temple (Dafo Si), a reference to the huge statue of Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy within. It also resembles a Tibetan temple, built in 1755 to commemorate Qianlong's victory over Mongolian tribes when the subjugated leaders were in Chengde. A stella related to the victory is inscribed in Tibetan, Mongolian, Chinese and Manchu. The main feature is a Guanyin towering 22 meters; this wooden Buddha has 42 arms with an eye on each palm. The temple appears to be used as an active place of worship.
Temple of Universal Happiness (Pule Si)
Also known as the Round Pavilion, Temple of Universal Happiness is famous for its caisson ceiling and unique wooden mandala, the only one of its kind in China outside Tibet. The temple was built under orders from Qing Emperor Qianlong in 1766 to receive visiting dignitaries from tributary peoples, including the Mongols and the Tibetans. It's a curious and fascinating mix of Han Chinese and Tibetan elements.
Anyuan Temple
One of the famous Eight Outer Temples of Chengde, Anyuan Temple is an imitation of Ili Temple in Xinjiang. It was built when Emperor Qianlong put down Zhunge'er's rebellion in Xinjiang in Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). It also has the names "Ili Temple" or "Jin Ding Temple." The roofs are covered with black glazed tiles. Serving as a foil to green mountains, blue sky and white clouds, the temple looks more magnificent and solemn with religious atmosphere.
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Potala Palace
Jokhang Temple
Sera Temple
Drepung Temple
Norbulingka Park
Songzanlin Temple
Tashilhunpo Temple
Temple of Universal Peace
Putuo Zongcheng Temple
Eight Outer Temples
Lama Temple
Tar Temple
Barkhor Street
Ramoche Temple
Ganden Temple
Temple of Universal Happiness
Wudangzhao Temple
Shaolin Temple
Temple of Heaven
Confucius Temple
Palkhor Monastery
Rongbuk Temple
Id Kah Mosque
Lingyin Temple
Great Buddha at Lingshan
Yuantong Temple
Sakya Temple
Famen Temple
Great Mosque
Nanputuo Temple
Jade Buddha Temple
Town God Temple
Confucius Temple
White Cloud Temple
Santa Sophia Church
Memorial Temple of Lord Bao
White Horse Temple
Qiongzhu Temple
Hanshan Temple
Yufeng Lamastery
Anyuan Temple
Trandruk Temple
Dai Temple
Pagoda of Songyue Temple
Samye Temple
Jinci Temple
Wuhou Memorial Temple
Hongfu Temple
Dazhao Temple
Baoguo Temple
Bailin Temple, Great Zen Buddhist Center
Qingyanggong Temple
