Zhungeer Zhao

Zhungeer Zhao

Zhungeer Zhao is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Zhungeer Zhao

Zhungeer Zhao, also known as "Baotang Temple," is located in Zhungeer Zhao Town, Zhungeer Banner. The temple complex was first built in the second year of the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty (1622). The overall architecture is majestic and elaborately designed, with numerous halls standing in close succession, featuring carved beams, painted ceilings, golden tiles, blue glazes, soaring eaves, and bracket arms, displaying a vibrant diversity of styles. It is the largest temple complex in Ordos and serves as a living fossil for the study of Ordos’s politics, economy, culture, religion, and folklore. The main religious structures of Zhungeer Zhao include scripture halls, Buddha halls, the Six-Armed Hall, the Thousand Buddha Hall, the Guanyin Temple, the Five Roads Temple, the Relic Solo Palace, the Grand Administrative Office, the Second Administrative Office, the Lama Commercial Hall, the Noble Commercial Hall, and the White Pagoda, among others. These structures vary in architectural style but maintain a strictly organized layout, blending Mongolian, Han Chinese, and Tibetan architectural arts. The wood carvings, brick sculptures, and paintings predominantly depict floral and bird motifs, human figures, and Buddhist stories, all rendered with fine detail, lifelike accuracy, and vivid expression.

The Buddha Hall and Scripture Hall are collectively referred to as the "Grand Solo Palace," which is the main structure of the temple complex, covering an area of over 3,000 square meters. The hall’s roof is entirely covered with yellow and green glazed tiles, and the interior is adorned with colorful murals. The pillars are all encircled with dragon-patterned column covers. Zhungeer Zhao attracts visitors in an endless stream throughout the year, enjoying flourishing incense offerings. The annual Mani Meeting and Yani Meeting are regularly held in the fourth and seventh lunar months respectively, making them the largest Buddhist events in Ordos and attracting attention from the entire Buddhist community.

In May 2013, Zhungeer Zhao was announced as part of the seventh batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Further Reading:

· Seventh Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units