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| | | Dazhao Lamasery [edit this] | | Dazhao Lamasery, is called "Ih Ju Zhao" (meaning a big temple), is situated in Dazhao-qian Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot. The lamasery was built by Alatan Khan--chief of Tumd Mongolian Tribe in the 7th year of Wanli Age of the Ming Dynasty. The name "Hongci Temple" was given by the imperial court of the Ming Dynasty. The name was changed into Wuliang Temple after the Qing Dynasty. As a silver Buddha Statue which is 2.5 meters high is enshrined and worshiped in the lamasery, Dazhao Lamasery is also called "Silver Buddha Temple". Dazhao Lamasery an "Imperial Temple". Dazhao Lamasery is the earliest temple of Lamaism which was built in Inner Mongolia in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. |
Edit by: Vincent | | |
| Zhaojun Tomb [edit this] | | Zhaojun Tomb is located on the southern bank of the Dahei River, nine kilometers south of the city of Hohhot. Viewed from afar, the surface of the tomb appears to be dark green. It is therefore called the ¡°green tomb.¡±
Wang Zhaojun was a maid of honor in an imperial palace of the Han Dynasty. In 33 B.C. Huhanxie Chanyu, chief of the Xiongnus, proposed ties of amity with the Han court through marriage. When Zhaojun married Huhanxie, she brought with her the rich culture of the Central China Plain to the Xiongnu people in the north.
Zhaojun Tomb is similar to the imperial tombs of the Han Dynasty that were built in the central plain of the kingdom. There are pavilions around the tomb in which visitors can rest. Cultural relics commemorating Zhaojun are on display in an exhibition room nearby.
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| Xilituzhao Temple [edit this] | |
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Xilituzhao Temple (Xilituzhao si, or Xiaozhao si), containing the residence of the 11th Grand Living Buddha, is the largest temple in town. Originally a small Buddhist construction, it took the temple hundreds of years to expand to its current size. The prayer hall, the largest one in the complex, is in magnificent Tibetan style, with color-glazed tiles on its four inner sides.
The temple is similar to the Dazhao Temple in terms of architecture and shape, originally built in the Ming Dynasty (1468-1644 AD) as well. It was, however, razed to the ground by fire and then rebuilt in the nineteenth century, then partially destroyed in the Cultural Revolution (1966-76 AD), before again being restored. The new restoration is a work of art, with much of the temple structures left with attractive bare wood or painted in quiet reds and greens, that differentiates it from the other temple and many temples of its type around China.
Xilituzhao remains active, and has, since 1735, always acted as the official residence of the Living Buddha, who reins over Buddhist religious affairs in the city. On entering nowadays you may come across Tibetan monks and followers in prayer, you may get the chance to see one of the temple festivals, where traditional instruments are played, or you may get the chance to head underneath the temple, where caverns contain graphic depictions of the tortures that will be metered out for those who are sinners in this life, a sort of Tibetan Buddhist version of hell. It is sometimes possible to find a monk who can speak English and can take you around.
Edit by: brian | | |
| Wanbu Huayanjin Pagoda [edit this] | | Located in the eastern suburbs of the city, it was built in the Liao Dynasty (916-1125). It is a seven-story pagoda in octagonal shape and 43 meters high. The walls of first two storeys are inlaid with carved brick images of Buddhas and other Buddhist figures, lifelike and graceful. Stone tablets from the Kin Dynasty (1115-1234) and inscriptions in languages of different nationalities by visitors of different dynasties are well preserved in the pagoda. |
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| Xilamuren Grassland [edit this] | | Xilamuren, meaning "yellow river" in Mongolian, is located 100 km north of Hohhot. Xilamuren Prairie, commonly known as Taihe, got its name for Puhui Temple, a Lama temple built in the Qing dynasty near Xilamuren River. Constructed in 1769 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, Puhui Temple was initially a resort of the Sixth Panchen Lama of Xilitu of Huhhot. With engraved beams and pictured purlins, the temple appears quite splendid.
Xilamuren Prairie, a typical example on the plateau, is covered by green grass and fresh flowers every summer and autumn. Due to the continual investment of the local government, reception service is growing better and better. Thus, Xilamuren becomes a well-known scenic spot in Inner Mongolia |
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