Xingyuan Temple

Xingyuan Temple

Xingyuan Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Located in Kulun Town, Kulun Banner. Built in the 58th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty, it is a Tibetan-Han hybrid Tibetan Buddhist temple covering an area of over 7,000 square meters. It is divided into an eastern and a western courtyard. The eastern courtyard was used for monastic residences but no longer exists; the western courtyard is the temple itself, featuring structures such as the mountain gate, main hall, Heavenly King Temple, and Arhat Temple. The main hall is a Tibetan-Han hybrid structure, with a width and depth of nine bays each, and houses 64 vermilion-painted, gilded dragon columns. The beams, brackets, dougong (bracket arms), doors, and windows are all carved and painted, showcasing richly colored and exquisitely decorated patterns. In front of the hall there is a bell tower, while the drum tower has been destroyed. Kulun Banner was officially designated as a unique political-religious banner in the 3rd year of the Shunzhi reign (1646), known as the Xilietu Kulun Jasag Banner, with Xingyuan Temple serving as the highest political and religious authority. The Xilietu Jasag resided here. It has now been restored as a religious museum.

Travel Time: You may choose to visit during January or July. Xingyuan Temple holds four major grand Buddhist ceremonies each year, attended by all the lamas in the banner. The 14th and 15th days of January and June are the Ghost Dance Festival days, while every three years — specifically in the Year of the Ox, Snake, or Rooster — a special Grand Lama Ceremony is held. This is an especially grand event. The ceremony runs from the 5th to the 7th of the 7th lunar month for seat preparation, and officially begins on the 8th, lasting seven days and nights until the 14th. During the Mani Prayer Ceremony, both inside and outside the temple are crowded with pilgrims, and street vendors display a dazzling array of goods, creating a lively atmosphere.

Transportation: You can reach Kulun Banner via National Highway 303 from Tongliao City, where there are buses to the scenic area.

Accommodation: Options include Aqima Hotel in Kulun Banner and Kulun Banner Hotel.

Local Cuisine: Hada Huoshao (flatbread), hand-grabbed lamb, whole roasted lamb, and various dairy products.

Local Specialties: Milk wine, oatmeal, smoked chicken, vegetarian Guokui (baked flatbread), etc.

Nearby Attractions: Bolongke Desert Tourist Area, Reshuitang Hot Springs, Chifeng Houzhao Temple Liao Grotto Temple, Chifeng Liao Taizu Mausoleum, Chifeng Khalongqi Wang Mansion, Chifeng Burudun Desert Tourist Area, Chifeng Dalinuoer Lake, Chifeng Ma’anshan National Forest Park, Chifeng Hexigten National Geopark, Chifeng Baiyin Aobao Nature Reserve, Chifeng Asihatu Stone Forest, Chifeng Liaozhongjing Ruins, Chifeng Daming Pagoda, Chifeng Hongshan National Forest Park, Saihanwula Biosphere Nature Reserve, and more.

Ticket Price

Free

Opening Hours

All day

Location

Xingyuan Road, Kulun Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region

Information Source: 55030

Kulun Town: Kulun Town is the county seat of Kulun Banner and serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of the entire banner. It is located 147 kilometers southwest of Tongliao. To the southeast and south, it borders Sibuzi Township of Zhangwu County, Liaoning Province, and Ping’andi Township of Fuxin Mongolian Autonomous County, across the Houhen River. To the southwest, west, north, and east, it neighbors Baiyinhua Town, Liujiazi Town, Elesun Town, and Horqin Left Rear Banner. The total land area is 1.964 million mu, including 526,000 mu of arable land, 233,000 mu of grassland and pasture, and 618,000 mu of forest. It administers 53 gachas (villages), 2 productive neighborhood committees, and 149 villager groups... More details on Kulun Town++

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