Putuo Zongcheng Temple

普陀宗乘之庙

The largest of the Outer Eight Temples, modelled on Lhasa's Potala Palace, with red and white platforms stacked up the hillside; Chengde's most photogenic building, nicknamed the 'Little Potala'.

Putuo Zongcheng Temple was built between 1767 and 1771 (the 32nd to 36th years of the Qianlong reign) to celebrate Qianlong's 60th birthday and his mother's 80th birthday, and to host the Mongol, Qinghai and Xinjiang princes who came to offer congratulations. It covers 220,000 square metres and is the largest of the Outer Eight Temples. The buildings follow the contours of the hill, rising from the mountain gate through the stele pavilion, the Five-Pagoda Gate and the glazed archway. White platforms are scattered across the slope, and at the top stands the all-red Great Red Platform, 43 m high. Inside, the Hall of Ten Thousand Dharmas Become One is roofed with gilt bronze tiles, which used more than 10,000 taels of gold. From the top floor of the Red Platform you can overlook Chengde city and the distant Qingchui Peak. The stele pavilion holds the 'Record of the Complete Submission of the Torghut', which commemorates the return of the Torghut people to the east in 1771. The route runs from bottom to top, with many steps and steep slopes, so wear non-slip shoes. Allow about 2 hours. Tickets cost RMB 80 in peak season and RMB 60 off-season, and combined tickets with Xumi Fushou Temple are better value. The temple lies north of the Mountain Resort in Lion Gully, about 2 km from the resort's north gate, and bus line 118 goes there. For photos, visit in the afternoon, when the sun lights the red platform. On rainy or snowy days you can capture an atmosphere similar to Lhasa's Potala Palace. The halls contain many Tibetan Buddhist statues. Circle them clockwise to pay respects, and keep quiet.

Putuo Zongcheng Temple

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