Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda

» Hohhot, Inner Mongolia

Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda Overview & Map Weather Transportation Information

The Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda is located in the southeast of Baita Village in the east suburbs about 17 kilometers (11miles) from Hohhot City.of the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda was said to be built in Emperor Shengzong'reign (983 - 1031) of the Liao Dynasty (916 - 1125). In 1982, the Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda became a national key cultural relic site.

The origin of the name

Legend says that about ten thousand volumes of the Huayan Buddhist Scripture once were kept in the pagoda, hence its name Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda, meaning "Ten Thousand Huayan Buddhist Scriptures." Due to its white surface, the pagoda is also called the White Pagoda. In 1982, the Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda became a national key cultural relic site.

What to visit

With a height of 55 meters (180 feet), the Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda is a seven-tier octagonal brick and wood structure. In order to survive earthquakes, many wooden stakes were wedged in the walls to reinforce the structure. Each story of the pagoda consists of the exterior wall, the interior wall and the cloister between them. A spiral staircase connects the stories together and leads to the top of the pagoda. Bronze mirrors are embedded under the eaves of each side of the pagoda. Wind bells hang on the ceiling of the corner of each story and on the rafter of the seventh tier. Approaching the pagoda, tourists can see the bronze mirrors gleaming under the sun and hear the euphonious sound of the wind bells.

Pedestal

The Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda is built on a huge pedestal with a perimeter of about 56 meters (184 feet). On the pedestal are carved beautiful lotus petals. The sculptures of Bodhisattvas, Heavenly Kings and other Buddhist figures are embedded on the surface of the walls of the first and the second tiers. These sculptures are considered to be the finest expressions of the sculpturing art in the Liao Dynasty.

Stone tablet scripting

On the front, there is a stone tablet scripting Ten Thousand Volumes of Huayan Scripture, along with exquisite relief of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Warriors and other Buddha figures.

Tablet inscriptions

Inside the pagoda, you can find many scriptures and tablet inscriptions written in different languages, including Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan, Nvzhen, Qidan and language of other ethnic groups. This is a good demonstration of association and exchange between different nationalities in ancient times.

Getting there

Take the regular bus from Hohhot to the Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda.

Opening Hours

08:30a.m. - 17:30p.m.

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

Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda Highlights

Tower & Pagoda in Great China

• Big Wild Goose Pagoda
• Oriental Pearl TV Tower
• Three Pagodas of Chongsheng Temple
• Drum Tower
• Bell Tower
• Yellow Crane Tower
• Jiaxiu Tower
• Iron Pagoda
• Liuhe Pagoda
• Tianfeng Pagoda
• Sugong Pagoda
• Wooden Pagoda
• Small Wild Goose Pagoda
• Nong'an Liao Tower
• Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda
• Kaifeng Po Pagoda
• Yingying Pagoda
• Suojiang Tower

Wanbu Huayanjing Pagoda 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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