Putuo Zongcheng Temple

Overview
 

The Putuo Zongcheng Temple, built in the latter period of the reign of Emperor Qianlong, is one of the famous Eight Outer Temples in Chengde City, Hebei Province. In the 35th year (1770) of Emperor Qianlong’ reign, in order to celebrate his 60th birthday and his mother’s 80th birthday of the following year, the Putuo Zongcheng Temple was set up to receive princes, dukes and the nobility from all the ethics who would come to Chengde to attend the birthday celebration.

The Putuo Zongcheng Temple is the Chinese transliteration for a Tibetan word Potala. It was constructed according to then Potala Palace, which was the center of Chinese Lamaism. Therefore, it is also called the Little Potala Palace. The Putuo Zongcheng Temple, occupying 22 hectares and with more than 40 halls, is the biggest temple among the Eight Outer Temples.

The principal building of the temple is a 25-meter-high red platform with a white stone base of 17 meters high and each side measuring 60 meters. In the center of the platform is the Wanfa Guiyi Hall. Multiple eaves stretch to the summit of the hall. Above are gold-plated steel tiles in the shape of fish scale. On the ridges of the hall stand rows of beasts kissing each other.

Location
-Located in Chengde City, Hebei Province

Features
One of the famous Eight Outer Temples in Chengde City Traditional Chiese building