Dazhao Temple in Hohhot

Dazhao Temple in Hohhot

Dazhao Temple in Hohhot is a national AAAA-level tourist attraction and a key cultural relic protection unit of China.

Known as "Ikh Zuu" in Mongolian, meaning "Great Temple." Its Chinese name was originally Hongci Temple, later changed to Wuliang Temple. It is located in the old town area of Hohhot. During the Longqing era of the Ming Dynasty (1567–1572), after Altan Khan, leader of the Tümed Mongol tribe (referred to as "Anbu" in Ming historical texts), was granted the title of Prince of Shunyi, he and his wife, Lady Sanniangzi, jointly oversaw the development of Huizhou City (the predecessor of Hohhot) and Hongci Temple. The temple was completed in the eighth year of the Wanli reign (1580). As it enshrined a silver Buddha statue, it became commonly known as the Silver Buddha Temple. In Mongolian historical records, it is also referred to as "Altan Zuu." During the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1662–1721), the temple complex was expanded, and the main hall was covered with yellow glazed tiles. The Buddhist hall houses a 2.55-meter-tall silver-cast statue of Sakyamuni. In front of the statue, there is a pair of golden wooden-carved dragons coiled around pillars in a playful, dragon-pearl motif. On the square white marble pedestal in front of the hall stands a pair of hollow iron lions cast in 1627 during the Tianqi era of the Ming Dynasty. The lions gaze upwards with unique postures. Within the temple complex are other structures such as the mountain gate, passage hall, east and west side halls, and the Nine-Room Building. Originally, there was a Jade Spring Well in front of the temple, known for its crystal-clear water and honored as the "First Spring of the Nine Borders." These five characters were carved into a plaque and hung above the mountain gate.

Covering an area of approximately 30,000 square meters, the temple faces south and is aligned along a central axis, featuring structures such as a memorial archway, mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Bodhi Passage Hall, Mahavira Hall, Scripture Depository, east and west side halls, the Nine-Room Building, and side chambers. Auxiliary buildings include the Nechung Shrine and family shrine. Dazhao boasts an extremely rich collection of treasures, with the silver Buddha, dragon carvings, and murals hailed as the “Three Wonders” of the temple. The silver Buddha refers to the statue of Sakyamuni enshrined in the main hall, which has a history of over 400 years and is one of the largest surviving silver Buddha statues in China. In addition, Dazhao's various polychrome sculptures, bronze and gold statues, large-scale thangkas, the 108-volume Kangyur scriptures, as well as various ritual instruments and masks used in religious activities, are all invaluable historical artifacts and artistic masterpieces. Dazhao is not only a sacred Buddhist site but also a renowned tourist destination at home and abroad, forming its unique "Temple Culture" landscape. Located in the old city of Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, the temple’s Mongolian name "Ikh Zuu" means "Great Temple." It was first built during the Ming Dynasty and is the largest Gelug monastery in Hohhot, as well as one of the rare Tibetan temples in Mongolia that does not have a living Buddha. Because Emperor Kangxi once stayed here for several days, out of respect for the emperor, the monks abolished the tradition of reincarnating the living Buddha.

Completed in 1580, it is the earliest Tibetan Buddhist temple built in Hohhot. As it enshrines a silver statue of Sakyamuni, it was also called the Silver Buddha Temple at the time. Hohhot has countless temples. Among the famous ones are Dazhao, Xiaozhao, Xilituzhao, Wuta Si Zhao, Wusutu Zhao, and Qiao'erqi Zhao. Dazhao has three wonders: the silver Buddha, dragon carvings, and murals.

Dazhao, a Tibetan Buddhist temple, is one of the most well-preserved and influential monasteries in the Hohhot region and even across Inner Mongolia. Also known as the "Silver Buddha Temple," the Third Dalai Lama presided over the consecration ceremony of the silver Buddha here. Dazhao was first built in 1578 (the sixth year of the Wanli reign of the Ming Dynasty) and has a history of over 400 years. Its architecture extends from south to north, consisting of a mountain gate, Heavenly King Hall, Bodhi Passage Hall, scripture hall, Buddha hall, Nine-Room Building, and east and west side halls. It is the largest and most intact wooden structure building currently existing in Hohhot.

The architectural design of Dazhao Temple is exquisite. The main hall follows the common Tibetan-Han style of Buddhist temple architecture, while the rest of the sections are built in the traditional Chinese temple style. The main hall houses a silver-cast Buddha statue, hence it is also called the "Silver Buddha Temple." Dazhao also preserves numerous cultural relics, making it a valuable resource for studying Mongolian history.

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Key Cultural Relic Protection Units of China