Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
( Putuozongcheng Zhimiao; Shizigou Lu; admission ¥80 April-Oct, ¥60 Nov-
Mar; 8am-6pm April-Oct, 8.30am-5pm Nov-Mar)
Chengde's largest temple
is a not-so-small replica of Lhasa's Potala Palace and houses the nebulous
presence of Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin). A marvellous sight on a clear day, the
temple's red walls stand out against its mountain backdrop.
Fronted by a collection of prayer wheels and flags, the
Red Palace
(also
called the Great Red Platform) contains most of the main shrines and halls.
The admission ticket includes the neighbouring Temple of Sumeru, Happiness
and Longevity. Bus 118 (¥1) runs along Huancheng Beilu past the temple.
TEMPLE OF SUMERU, HAPPINESS LONGEVITY
( Xumifushou Zhimiao; Shizigou Lu; admission ¥80 April-Oct, ¥60 Nov-Mar;
8am-6pm April-Oct, 8.30am-5pm Nov-Mar)
East of the Putuozongcheng
Temple, this huge temple was built in honour of the sixth Panchen Lama, who
stayed here in 1781. Incorporating Tibetan and Chinese architectural ele-
ments, it's an imitation of the Panchen's home monastery Tashilhunpo in Shig-
atse, Tibet. The admission price includes Putuozongcheng Temple. Bus 118
(¥1) runs along Huancheng Beilu past the temple.
Buddhist
PULE TEMPLE
( Pule Si; admission ¥50; 8am-5.30pm April-Oct, 8.30am-4.30pm Nov-Mar)
This peaceful temple was built in 1776 for the visits of minority envoys (Kaza-
khs among them). At the rear of the temple is the unusual Round Pavilion, re-
miniscent of the Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests at Beijing's Temple of
Heaven. Inside is an enormous wooden mandala (a geometric representation
of the universe).
Buddhist
PUYOU TEMPLE
( Puyou Si; 8am-6pm)
Just east of Puning Temple, this temple is dilapid-
ated and missing its main hall, but it has a plentiful contingent of merry gilded
luohan (arhat or a Buddhist who has achieved enlightenment)
in the side
wings, although a fire in 1964 incinerated many of their confreres. Entrance is
with a ticket for Puning Temple.
Buddhist
ANYUAN TEMPLE
Buddhist
