Guangfu Temple in Baotou

Guangfu Temple in Baotou

Guangfu Temple is a cultural tourism attraction.

Guangfu Temple

Guangfu Temple was first built in the 42nd year of the Kangxi reign (1702 AD) and is an important religious center on the grasslands of northern Inner Mongolia. Historically, it was as renowned as Qinghai’s Ta’er Monastery and Gansu’s Labrang Monastery, serving as a sacred Buddhist site in southern Mongolia. The 9th Panchen Lama once preached here. In 1670, the fourth Living Buddha of the Siregtu Monastery in Guihua, Abgulangteng, guided the design of the temple’s layout and scale, formulated the construction plan, and submitted it to Emperor Kangxi for approval. Formal construction began in 1702, mimicking the architectural style of the Siregtu Monastery in Guihua and incorporating both Beijing and Tibetan styles. Within three years and two months, the Chokyi Düchen Temple (Chokhan Temple) was completed. To celebrate the temple’s completion, Emperor Kangxi bestowed the vermilion-printed “Ganzhuer Sutra” as an honor and named the temple “Guangfu Temple.” The plaque was inscribed in four languages—Manchu, Mongolian, Tibetan, and Chinese—and bore the imperial seal of Emperor Kangxi. The temple housed a high lama’s seat and recruited followers extensively according to Gelug school doctrines. It quickly became one of the most influential and widely attended religious sites in southern Mongolia. Since the temple was initiated by a local prince (Beile), it was commonly called “Beile Temple,” phonetically rendered in Chinese as “Bailin Temple.” Later, during the period of Prince De’s autonomy, the “Mongolian Political Council” was located here. With the auspicious intention of “a land blessed by outstanding people and divine spirits,” it was renamed “Bailing Temple.” Guangfu Temple consists of eight halls, divided among five major colleges: Chokyi Düchen, Choyi, Jued, Manba, and Dongyinke.