Anyuan Temple

Anyuan Temple

Anyuan Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Commonly known as the Ili Temple, it is also called the Golden Roof Temple. Built in the 29th year of the Qianlong reign (1764), it was constructed following the design of the Gurdzha Temple on the north bank of the Ili River in Xinjiang. The Gurdzha Temple was the largest temple in the Khalkha region, where herders from near and far in the Jungar territory came every summer to worship. This temple was burned down in the 20th year of the Qianlong reign (1756) by the routed troops of the ethnic separatist Amursana. After the Qing army suppressed the rebellion, the meritorious Dashi Dawa tribe was relocated in its entirety to Rehe. Considering the need to provide a place for Buddhist activities for the Dashi Dawa tribe, Emperor Qianlong ordered the construction of this temple on the east bank of the Wulie River. Upon completion, leaders of various Oirat Mongol tribes would gather in Rehe every summer.

Anyuan Temple is 146 meters wide and 255 meters long, covering an area of 2.8 hectares. The entire temple complex is rectangular in layout, facing south with a slight westward orientation. The three-layered walls are symmetrically arranged, with the main gate in the center — a three-bay-wide structure with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof in the Han style, featuring three arched doorways and a brick-concrete structure.

Further reading:

· Second Batch of Hebei Provincial Cultural Relics Protection Units

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units