Dazhao Temple

Dazhao means "Grand Temple" in Mongolian. Dazhao Temple, located in the old city of Hohhot, is the largest temple from the Yellow Sect of Buddhism in the entire city.

In Longqing Year of Ming Dynasty from 1572 to 1576, the owner of Tumote Mongolia Aletanhan was sealed as the Shunyi Emperor. Owing to winning the special honor, he decided to enlarge the old city of Hohhot and this Buddhist temple to congratulate as a souvenir. In the 8th Wanli Year of Ming Dynasty in 1580, the temple was completed to enlarge and called the Hongci Temple. In the temple the statue of Sakyamuni was made of silver entirely, so the Hongci Temple is also called the Silver Buddha Temple. In Kangxi Year of Qing Dynasty about in 1700, the temple was rebuilt again. The roof of the main hall was changed to pave yellow glazed tiles. After rebuilt, the Hongci Temple became very beautiful and full of Tibetan Buddhist color. The local Mongolians like to call it the Dazhao Temple.

In the center of the main hall, the sliver statue of Sakyamuni, which stands 2.55 meters high, is worshipped. Before the statue there are a couple of gold wooden huge pillars, each engraved with a dragon. In front of the hall there are a couple of hollow stone powerful lions cast in 1627. Besides, there are other buildings in the temple, like passing hall, east and west side halls, the nine-room building and so on. Just in front of the temple, there is a well whose water tastes cool and fresh, and it wins the reputation as the best spring in the region.

Middle part is the hall for reciting scriptures. The back is the Buddhist hall, in the center of the hall the sliver statue of Sakyamuni is worshipped, before the statue there is a couple of gold wooden huge pillars. On the pillar there carved a dragon. In front of the hall there is a couple of hollow stone powerful lions. Passing the main hall, you can see it still has passing hall, east and west side halls, scriptures building, the nine-room building and etc.

The temple is interesting if you are into your Chinese architecture, especially of the Ming Dynasty period. Despite recent renovations, there are a few halls that retain their original style, especially the well preserved Ming wooden hall that holds the silver Buddha and various murals depicting the emperor's visit. If this does not hold your attention, then the houses around the temple are also of interest, old, adobe constructions with colored glass windows, and small windy lanes.