Guangyuan Temple

Guangyuan Temple

Guangyuan Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guangyuan Temple is located east of Puyou Temple. Built in the 45th year of the Qianlong reign (1780), it covers an area of 0.45 hectares and features a Han-style architecture. It was funded and approved for construction by the Khenpo Lama Tsaruk of Puning Temple and was inscribed with the name "Guangyuan Temple" by Emperor Qianlong. The rear hall has since been destroyed, with only remnants of other structures remaining. The mountain gate faces south and has three bays, housing the two guardian deities, Heng and Ha. To the north is the Heavenly King Hall, which also has three bays, with three-bay side halls on the east and west. The east side hall serves as a scripture room and houses a portrait of Guan Yu; the west side hall contains three stupas. The main hall has five bays and enshrines the Buddhas of the Three Ages. The two-story rear hall has seven bays and served as the residence of the Nobel Lama (Emperor Qianlong’s religious tutor). During the Qianlong era, 22 lamas were permanently stationed at this temple, with funding provided by the Lifan Yuan.

Guangyuan Temple covers an area of 45,000 square meters (0.45 hectares) and has a rectangular courtyard layout. It is a large-style building in the Han-style quadrangle architectural tradition and is also the smallest and last-built temple among the Outer Eight Temples. The mountain gate, also called the gate hall, is a three-bay structure facing south, with a stone plaque in the center bearing the inscription “Guangyuan Temple.” Left and right side gates are located in the middle of the east and west walls. The gate hall houses guardian Vajra deities, namely the two guardians Heng and Ha, and one other. On both sides inside the gate hall are flagpoles used for hanging prayer flags. Directly to the north is the Five-Bay Heavenly King Hall with a flush gable roof, housing statues of the Laughing Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings.

To the north of the Heavenly King Hall is the main hall, which has seven bays. This hall is the principal structure of the temple and enshrines three gilded wooden sculptures of the Buddhas of the Three Ages: Kasyapa (left), Shakyamuni (center), and Maitreya (right). The main hall has a flush gable roof covered with gray tiles, without painted decorations, and features seven roof ridge ornaments—an architectural style rarely seen in other buildings of the Outer Eight Temples. There are side halls on the east and west sides of the main hall. The east side hall houses a portrait of the guardian deity Guan Yu (Guan Di), and it once had a scripture table used by lamas for chanting. The west side hall contains three stupas and Buddhist paintings, serving as a place for storing ashes.

Directly north of the main hall is the rear courtyard of the entire temple. Near the foot of the hill is a two-story building with seven bays. The central three bays serve as a Buddha hall, while the sides function as scripture rooms and living quarters, used by the presiding Khenpo Lama (the Nobel Lama—Emperor Qianlong’s religious tutor) for chanting and meditation. Each side of the building has over ten monk rooms for resident lamas. According to the Record of Garden Regulations in Rehe, during that period, 22 lamas were permanently stationed at this temple, with funding provided by the Lifan Yuan. The rear hall has since been destroyed, with only remnants of other structures remaining.

Transportation Guide

Address: East side of Puning Temple, Puning Road, Shuangqiao District, Chengde City, Hebei Province

Transit: Take bus No. 6 or 26 within Chengde City and get off at the Puning Temple stop.