Putuo Zongcheng Temple

» Chengde, He Bei

Putuo Zongcheng Temple Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Putuo Zongcheng Temple is also one part of Eight Outer Temples in Chengde, Hebei Province. The entire temple covers 220,000 square meters. And it is a Qing Dynasty era Buddhist temple complex 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.

Something about the name

The name "Putuo Zongcheng" is the Chinese translation for the Potala Palace in Tibet, on which this temple is modeled. Indeed, this temple is also known as the Little Potala Palace. Built between 1767 and 1771, it is located near the Chengde Mountain Resort, which is south of the Putuo Zongcheng. Along with the equally famed Temple of Universal Peace, it is one of the Eight Outer Temples of Chengde.

Unique stylistic fusion

Since it was modeled after the Potala palace, the temple represents a fusion of Chinese and Tibetan architectural styles. The temple complex covers a surface area of some 220,000 square meters, making it one of the largest in China. Many of its halls and pavilions are adorned with copper and gold tiled roofs, adding to the splendor of the site.

Most of the complex's 60 or so halls are Tibetan in style, with white walls and flat roofs. Han Chinese elements are present, too, however, creating a unique stylistic fusion. Today, the temple houses numerous exhibits of artefacts, from statues and furnishings to pottery and ceramics and Tibetan religious items.

Great artistic value

The temple has great artistic value. A crystallization of the style and characteristics of ancient Tibetan architecture, the temple is made up of 50 Buddhist halls, scripture-reciting halls, monks' living quarters, terraces and glazed ceremonial arches which rise and fall with the mountain slopes.

A great symbol

The temple, dedicated to Emperor Qianlong on his birthday in 1771, is an astonishing copy of the traditional seat of Tibetan power. It served as a symbol of the unifying power of the Qing Empire over a diversity of peoples and cultures. It is also reflective of the long-standing Chinese fascination with Tibetan Buddhism and Lamaism, which had a profound effect on China's own cultural development. During the heyday of the Qing, the temple hosted many visiting dignitaries from the empires borderlands, including Mongolia and Tibet; even today, it's not hard to imagine the sense of awe that such visitors may have felt.

When to visit

Opening Hours: 8:00a.m. - 5:30p.m.

Attractions around » Chengde, He Bei

Natural Scene

• Chengde Mountain Resort

Historical Site

• Chengde Mountain Resort
• Temple of Universal Peace
• Putuo Zongcheng Temple
• Eight Outer Temples
• Anyuan Temple
• Temple of Universal Happiness

Putuo Zongcheng Temple Highlights

Tibetan Buddhism attraction highlights

• 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
• Nietang Buddha
• Jiegu Temple

city highlights

• Lhasa
• Shangri-la
• Chengde
• Gyangtze
• Shigatse
• Tsetang
• Ganzi

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

Putuo Zongcheng Temple FAQ & Travelers's Tips