Agui Temple

Agui Temple

Agui Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Agui Temple is a place worth visiting. "Agui" means "cave" in Mongolian.

There are 108 steep steps with an incline close to 90 degrees, leading high into the clouds as if treading on air. Standing there gives one a surreal feeling — a sense of warmth, admiration, and yearning. It embodies beauty, aspiration, and virtue, with a serene, cloud-and-water Zen-like atmosphere.

Agui Temple, located 10 kilometers southeast of Baiyinchagan Town, Qahar Right Rear Banner, Ulanqab City, is also known as Shanfu Temple. It is a Yellow Sect lamasery, initially built in the eighth year of the Kangxi reign (1669 AD). Over the following 300-plus years, through continuous construction, it has evolved into the magnificent architectural complex seen today.

Commonly referred to as Agui Temple, Shanfu Temple is situated on Agui Mountain. Perched atop the high mountain, it exudes an air of loftiness, exclusivity, and even an untouchable grandeur. According to locals, the temple complex faces south and is nestled against the mountain with water nearby, featuring densely arranged structures. The layout up and down the mountain is well arranged, presenting a spectacular view from afar.

In summer, a stream flows gently from west to east along the valley at the foot of the mountain. The area is lush with vegetation, green grass, and clear mountain springs. Birds sing and wild geese soar, creating a pleasant natural scene. From the mountaintop, one can see continuous ridges and crisscrossing valleys, offering a refreshing and uplifting experience.

There is a legend behind the construction of Agui Temple on Agui Mountain.

A highly respected lama came from Tibet, traveling across regions until he reached the Chahar Grassland in Qahar Right Rear Banner. During his journey, the lama noticed the vast open grassland, with birds flying and grass growing, flocks of sheep as white as clouds, and auspicious clouds like hada scarves. Isn’t this the perfect place to build a temple?

One day, while the lama was meditating with his eyes closed and chanting scriptures, a green-feathered crow suddenly flew down from the sky, circled above him, and flew off with his headpiece. When the lama opened his eyes, he said, “Why do you want to wear my hat?” The crow flew about 100 meters before dropping the hat and stopping. The lama had to chase after it to retrieve his hat. But every time he approached, the crow would fly another 100 meters away with the hat. This continued — 100 meters at a time — until it finally led the lama to Agui Mountain. There, the crow dropped the hat and flew off.

The lama picked up his headpiece, put it on, and looked around. Amazed, he exclaimed, “This is a ‘dragon-hidden, tiger-resting, auspicious land with dragon whiskers!’” Overjoyed, he mobilized the local people to begin quarrying stones. And so, the earliest form of the temple took shape.

At the beginning of the temple’s planning and construction, another legendary story took place — one still told by locals to this day. This tale is also connected to a cave on Agui Mountain known as Agui Cave.

Legend has it that one afternoon, the lama sat cross-legged in a cave atop the mountain, meditating and chanting scriptures without distraction. Every day, his prayers were not for himself but for guidance on how to raise funds to build the temple. That day, after his prayers, he saw a mounted party of over 20 people approaching. Among them was a prince who appeared as unsteady as a paper figure, swaying in the wind like tree branches — slowly drifting toward Agui Mountain on horseback. The lama looked closely and noticed a deep cave nearby. A huge white python lay hidden at the cave’s mouth, its blood-red jaws wide open as it tried to suck the prince in. Helplessly, the prince drifted toward the python’s mouth. Seeing the danger, the lama quickly chanted to stop the python. Though the python didn’t succeed in devouring the prince, the prince fainted from shock. The lama stepped in to help, reciting scriptures and providing medicine to revive him.

When the prince learned of the lama’s wish to build a temple to bring blessings to the grassland and safety to its herders, he donated funds for the temple’s construction. After the temple was built, the python remained. Its presence continued to threaten the lives of local herders. The lama chanted spells to seal the python’s cave, preventing it from coming out to harm the grassland. Afterward, he would face the sealed cave and chant scriptures daily. As he chanted, the python could no longer get out. The lama later built a small temple inside that very cave.

It is said that ever since the temple was completed, incense offerings here have flourished. Today, it remains an important travel destination where people reflect on the past and admire the grassland’s historic sites.

Some parts of Agui Temple were damaged during the Cultural Revolution. In recent years, restoration work has begun. In the near future, this centuries-old temple will be fully restored and presented to the public once again.

On the 15th day of the fifth lunar month each year, a ritual to worship the Oboo (sacred stone heaps) is held here, along with the Naadam Festival. On the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, the Temple Festival, also called the Temple Fair, takes place. During the fair, Buddhist activities are especially grand, attracting herders and their families who come eagerly by car or horseback, creating a lively atmosphere. Recitation of the Yarnai Scripture begins on the 16th day of the sixth lunar month and continues until the second day of the eighth lunar month. From the 15th of May to the 3rd of August, various Buddhist events are held frequently...

Source: People's Government of Ulanqab City