Temple of Universal Happiness

» Chengde, He Bei

Temple of Universal Happiness Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

Located in Chengde, Hebei Province, Temple of Universal Happiness 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.

Why built the temple

Covering 24,000 square meters, the Temple of Universal Happiness was erected in 1766 when the upper strata personages from the Mongolian and the northwestern tribes came to pay respect to Qing Emperor Qianlong for the stability and peace in northwestern region of China.

Layout of the temple

Pule Temple construction is in rectangle shape. It is divided into two parts. The temple's outer walls were once topped by eight colorfully glazed-tile pagodas built on lotus flower pedestals, but nowadays, only one of them still stands. Legend has it that they are said to symbolize the lotus flowers that appeared at every step taken by Sakyamuni, founder of Buddhism, when he was born.

The front part

Buildings in the front part were in traditional temple style of Han Nationality. And this part contains the Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwang Dian), a Bell and Drum Tower (Zhonggu Lou) and the Hall of Ancestors (Zongyin Dian).

The rear part

The rear is the Du City in Tibetan style (world field), rich in intense colors and riveting Tantric figures. This section holds the Tibetan architecture, and is of a far more interesting and colourful style. The main building here is the central, triple-tiered Xuguang Pavilion (Xuguang Ge), which is highly reminiscent of buildings within Beijing's Temple of Heaven (Tiantan). There are two entrances on the mountain. The first entrance headed west where it faces Chengde Mountain Resort. The back gate faces Qinhui Peak on the east.

When to visit

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

Getting there

Take bus No.10 from the town center. You can also easily walk south from the Anyuan Temple.

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

Temple of Universal Happiness 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

Temple of Universal Happiness FAQ & Travelers's Tips