Dazhao Temple (Hohhot)

Background

Dazhao stands on Dazhaoqian Street in Yuquan District, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. Its Mongolian name, Ikh Juu, means "great temple"; because it enshrines a silver-cast statue of Shakyamuni, it is also called the Silver Buddha Temple. It is a different monastery from the Jokhang (Dazhao Temple) in Lhasa. The temple faces south, and along its central axis stand, in order, a memorial archway, the mountain gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bodhi passage hall, the Mahavira Hall and the sutra library; apart from the Mahavira Hall, which combines Tibetan and Han forms, all are Han-style buildings. At the center of the Mahavira Hall's Buddha hall sits the silver Buddha, nearly 3 meters tall (some sources say about 2.5 meters); a pair of golden coiled dragons wraps the two heaven-reaching pillars in front of it; and the hall's walls bear murals painted in mineral pigments. Together these three are called the "three wonders of Dazhao". In 1640 Hong Taiji ordered Dazhao expanded and gave it the Chinese name Wuliang Temple, and much of its original architectural style was retained in the rebuilding; after the expansion a gold "Long live the Emperor" tablet was enshrined in the temple. In the 36th year of the Kangxi reign (1697), Dazhao received approval to re-roof with yellow glazed tiles.

Local customs

• Walk along the central axis through the mountain gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Bodhi passage hall and the Mahavira Hall, turning the prayer wheels clockwise
• see the Yuquan Well in front of the mountain gate and the eight auspicious white-marble pagodas
• during the Buddha-airing festival on the 15th and 16th days of the first lunar month and the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, you can watch a giant Buddha painting being displayed and the accompanying ceremonies
• afterward, stroll along the old Saishang street south of the temple.

Travel tips

• Allow about 2 hours for the visit
• early morning has fewer visitors and softer light. The temple can be visited year-round, with May to August the most pleasant
• during the Buddha-airing festival on the 15th and 16th days of the first lunar month and the 15th day of the sixth lunar month, there are more worshippers and visitors.
• Parking in the old city is tight, so take a bus or taxi: several city bus lines reach Dazhao Station, and a taxi from downtown is a short ride.