Five Pagoda Temple
» Hohhot, Inner Mongolia

五塔寺

Wu Ta Si

Five-Pagoda Temple, also called Jingangzuo Dagoba, used to be one building of the Cideng Temple. Cideng Temple had been ruined and only the five-pagoda remains and got its present name.

What to visit

Three parts

The Five Pagoda Temple is an important Tibetan Buddhist temple. The pagoda is 16 meters high (about 51 feet) and it is composed of three parts: the base, the seat and the top (five pagodas). The lower part of the seat is inlaid with inscriptions of Diamond Sutra written in Mongolian, Tibetan and Sanskrit. The upper part is niches holding gold-plated statues of Buddha. The body of the pagoda is glazed in greens and yellows. It is representative of the architectural achievements that were made in the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911).

Appreciate cultural relics

Five pagodas standing side by side on the seat, the central one has seven stories while the rest on the four corners are all five-story high. In the first floor of these pagodas, there are brick carvings of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Bodhi trees and so on. While in the floors above there are a great number of niches for statues of Buddha in different shapes totaling 1563. In addition, an astronomical chart and two Buddhism pictures are carved delicately onto a wall behind the pagodas, which are valuable cultural relics.

Climb to the top

Tourists can climb to the top of the base to get a look at the pagodas themselves, or head to the back of the building where a carved screen includes a rare Mongolian astronomical map, marking hundreds of stars (the only of its kind in the world).

Uniqueness

Compared with other pagodas, Five-Pagoda Temple is unique in at least two aspects: its special structure, pagodas over pagoda, and the green and yellow colored glazes on the short eaves and tops of pagodas. Those make Five-Pagoda Temple quite special, a treasure of Hohhot City.

When to visit

  • Best Season for a Visit: Summer
  • Opening Hours: 09:00a.m. - 17:00p.m.

  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.


  • 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.


  • 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.

  • 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.


  • 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.


  • 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.


Five pagodas standing side by side on the seat, the central one has seven stories while the rest on the four corners are all five-story high. The body of the pagoda is glazed in greens and yellows. It is representative of the architectural achievements that were made in the Qing Dynasty.



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