Xire Temple

Xire Temple

Xire Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Xire Temple is located 12 kilometers east of Hailarutu Town, the seat of government of Urad Middle Banner in Inner Mongolia. Built in the 19th year of the Kangxi reign during the Qing Dynasty with funding from Emperor Kangxi, it was established by the first-generation abbot, Master Hule Qinggui, and is one of the 21 Buddhist sacred sites in the East.

At its height, Xire Temple had over 300 monks, with pilgrims coming from as far west as Lhasa, as far east as Ulanhot, and as far north as Dakure (now Ulaanbaatar), making it widely renowned. The temple features three springs that flow continuously—they are the soul of Xire Temple. Regular consumption of the water is said to prolong life, cure ailments, and maintain youthful looks. These springs have been tested and certified by national authorities as high-quality natural mineral drinking water.

The Xire Temple site consists of five main halls, four caves, and two white stupas. It was once one of the largest Buddhist sacred sites in western China, second only to the Potala Palace. A temple fair is held here once every month of the year, and a large-scale Obo worship ceremony takes place annually from June 25th to 30th, attracting throngs of visitors and creating a lively atmosphere. The temple was renovated in 2003.

Hailarutu Town: Hailarutu Town is the seat of the People's Government of Urad Middle Banner and serves as the political, economic, cultural, and transportation hub of the banner. Located at the intersection of 41°34’ north latitude and 108°31’ east longitude, it has an average elevation of 1,288 meters and an average annual temperature of 4.9°C. The town covers a total area of 62 square kilometers, with a planned area of 18 square kilometers and a built-up area of 5.2 square kilometers. It includes 2,579.5 mu of arable land. The town administers 13 neighborhood committees, 2 village committees, and 2 subdistrict offices. By the end of the year, there were 10,168 households and a total population of 27,635, including non-agricultural residents... More details about Hailarutu Town++