Journey to Chengde

The Little Potala Palace in Chengde, officially named **Putuo Zongcheng Temple**, is a large Tibetan Buddhist temple built by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty to celebrate his 60th birthday and his mother Empress Dowager Chongqing's 80th birthday. It is the largest and most representative architectural complex among the "Outer Eight Temples" of Chengde. Modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, Tibet and the Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, it combines Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian architectural styles. Recognized as an exemplary fusion of Han and Tibetan cultures, it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994. ### **Architectural Features and Highlights** 1. **Magnificent Main Structure** The temple is built against the mountain, facing south. The main structure, the **Great Red Platform**, stands 43 meters tall, with the 18-meter **Great White Platform** below it. The contrast of red and white creates an imposing sight. Inside the Great Red Platform, the **Wanfa Guiyi Hall** (Hall of Universal Law) has a gold-plated copper tile roof that consumed 10,000 taels of gold. It was once the core venue where Qing emperors received ethnic minority leaders and conducted religious ceremonies. 2. **Tibetan Architectural Art** The temple features over 60 Tibetan-style white platforms, tower platforms, and watchtowers, with flat-roofed white walls and red buildings arranged in a harmonious pattern. The five pagodas above the Five Pagoda Gate, in red, yellow, black, white, and green, symbolize different Buddhist sects. The glazed archway features exquisite carvings, with inscriptions "Universal Response" and "Lotus Realm Majesty" written by Emperor Qianlong himself, showcasing imperial grandeur. 3. **Witness to History and Culture** Three stone tablets in the stele pavilion record the epic return of the Torghut tribe in Han, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan languages, as well as Emperor Qianlong's preferential policies toward border ethnic groups. In 1771, Qianlong received Torghut leader Ubashi here, symbolizing ethnic unity. 4. **Integration of Nature and Culture** From the top of the Great Red Platform, visitors can view the Summer Resort and Qingchui Peak in the distance, and look down upon the golden-roofed Wanfa Guiyi Hall, experiencing the breathtaking sight where "gold meets the eye everywhere." Ancient trees surround the temple, prayer flags flutter, and chanting echoes, creating a rich religious atmosphere. **Practical Information** - **Tickets and Opening Hours**: Shares tickets with the adjacent Xumi Fushou Temple (Panchen Lama's Palace); 80 yuan during peak season (April-October), 60 yuan during off-season; open 8:00-17:30 (peak season) and 8:00-17:00 (off-season). - **Transportation**: Take bus route 118 from downtown Chengde to "Putuo Zongcheng Temple" stop. - **Visiting Tips**: Allow 3-4 hours for the full tour. Recommended route: Main Gate → Stele Pavilion → Five Pagoda Gate → Glazed Archway → Great White Platform → Great Red Platform. After reaching the top, don't miss the Cihang Pudu Pavilion in the northwest corner to experience the perfect combination of tranquility and solemnity. As a testament to ethnic integration and a treasure of architectural art, the Little Potala Palace in Chengde is not only a microcosm of history but also a feast for the eyes and culture. Whether you're tracing imperial history or experiencing the mystery of Tibetan Buddhism, this place will captivate you.