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.

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Xilituzhao Temple

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