Xiaqiong Temple

Xiaqiong Temple

Xiaqiong Temple is a national key cultural heritage protection unit.

Xiaqiong Temple is a provincial-level cultural heritage site, located in Chafu Township, Hualong County, Qinghai Province. It lies 95 kilometers from the provincial capital of Xining and 15 kilometers south of the Linping Highway. As one of the more renowned religious and cultural attractions within Hualong County’s scenic area, the temple was first built in 1394, making it one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist temples in Qinghai.

Covering a total area of 270,000 square meters, Xiaqiong Temple was first constructed in the ninth year of the Yuantong era during the Yuan Dynasty (1349), and is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Emperors of various reigns, including the Third, Seventh, and Thirteenth Dalai Lamas, donated thousands of taels of gold to renovate the temple’s halls, enhancing its splendor and radiant glory. The temple’s first group of scripture masters successively served as tutors to the Seventh and Eighth Dalai Lamas, the Ninth Panchen Lama, and the Third Changkya Hutuktu. In 1788, Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty bestowed upon it the name “Fajing Temple” (Temple of Dharma Serenity) and issued an imperial plaque inscribed with the words “Land of Mahayana Prosperity” in Chinese, Tibetan, Mongolian, and Manchu.

“Xiaqiong” originates from the Tibetan language, meaning “roc,” and the name was inspired by the resemblance of the mountain’s shape to that of the legendary bird. This mountain lies at the southern edge of Chafu

Township, standing majestically like a giant roc with wings spread, ready to take flight. It dominates the northern bank of the Yellow River, overlooking the winding river below and gazing out over countless peaks and valleys.

To its left is the Gawa Mountain, to its right the Dorfu Mountain, and behind it the Baobao Mountain. A local saying praises it: “The green dragon swims before, the yellow turtle crouches behind, the grey tiger lies to the left, and the red bird soars to the right.” The eastern, western, and northern sides are covered with overlapping ridges and peaks, while the southern face is as sheer as if cleaved by axe and knife, precipitous and towering to an exceptional degree. Atop the mountain sits the ancient Xiaqiong Temple. Viewed from the south looking north, the temple appears to rest on the right shoulder of the great roc, earning ancient praise as a sacred Buddhist site.

Since its establishment, Xiaqiong Temple has successively constructed eleven halls, including the Manjushri Hall, Maitreya Hall, Golden Summit Hall, Atisha Hall, Vajra Buddha Hall, Zhizha Buddha Hall, Incense-Burning Hall, Ksitigarbha Maitreya Hall, Mountain Buddha Hall, Dharmapala Hall, and others. These form an ancient architectural complex that blends Han and Tibetan artistic styles. The overall structure is solemn and majestic, grand and spectacular, with an orderly layout and overwhelming presence.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Heritage Protection Units