The Ancient Architectural Complex of Huang Temple in Baluntai

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Huang Temple in Baluntai

The Ancient Architectural Complex of Huang Temple in Baluntai is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Huang Temple in Baluntai, Hejing County, Xinjiang, also known as "Yong'an Temple," is the principal temple of the Southern Route Old Torghut tribe. It is situated in the northeastern part of Hejing County, in the Laobaluntai Valley on the southern slope of the central Tianshan Mountains. As the largest comprehensive Lamaist temple complex in the Bayingolin Prefecture, it is officially named "Sharbudaierjiele." The temple has a rigorous monastic organization and a strict scripture study system. The Huang Temple complex consists of 15 temples, with the main Huang Temple located at the center of the complex. The other 14 temples are arranged in an orderly fashion around the main temple, forming a cohesive and well-organized layout.

The Huang Temple is located in the Laobaluntai Valley of Baluntai Town at an altitude of 1,450 meters. It is a grand-scale Lamaist monastery, often referred to as the "Little Potala Palace." Built in 1887 during the reign of Buyanmengke, the father of the Khan of Man, it was constructed to commemorate the eastward return of the Torghut tribe.

The overall architectural structure of the Huang Temple is meticulous and was designated as a Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit in 1987. The temple halls house many precious scriptures and rare cultural relics. The stunning scenery, where frigid, temperate, and tropical zones coexist, attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. In summer, the site becomes especially lively. The rich tourism resources have also enabled local herders to start homestay businesses centered around the scenic beauty, making it a top choice for local entrepreneurship and income generation as well as a renowned tourist destination both within and outside Xinjiang.

In recent years, the Hejing County Tourism Bureau has invested funds to encourage farmers and herders to develop tourism, focusing on Huang Temple as a key area for tourism development. Herders and farmers engaged in distinctive tourism businesses receive support through preferential policies. The growth of tourism has brought tangible benefits to local herders. With the continuous improvement of tourism infrastructure in Huang Temple, Baluntai Town, the number of visitors has been increasing at an annual rate of 40%. Since 2018, the Huang Temple scenic area has received 80,000 visitors, generating a total tourism revenue of 800,000 yuan, marking increases of 11% and 9% respectively compared to the same period last year.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units