Guangzong Temple (广宗寺), also known in Tibetan as “Danji Leng” and commonly referred to as the “Southern Temple (南寺),” is the largest and most prestigious temple among the eight major temples of the Alxa region. It comprises over twenty buildings, including six subordinate temples, and is renowned for its historical significance and grand architecture. The temple’s main structures include the Mahavira Hall, the Great Sutra Hall, and the Yellow Building Temple. The Yellow Building Temple is especially notable as it houses the stupa containing the remains of the 6th Dalai Lama of Tibet. This two-story pavilion, constructed with yellow and green glazed tiles, is an architectural masterpiece, featuring 81 rooms in the front and 49 rooms in the rear.
Guangzong Temple was founded in 1757 during the reign of Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty. Its construction was initiated by Awang Dorji, the son of Ban Zhaerzhabu Taiji, in fulfillment of a wish by his spiritual teacher, the 6th Dalai Lama. Over the years, the temple grew in size and significance, eventually encompassing 15 major temples and over 2,000 rooms, including monk quarters and warehouses. One of the temple’s notable features is a large bronze cauldron in the kitchen that weighs over a ton and can hold more than 4 tons of water.
After the temple was completed, the remains of the 6th Dalai Lama were transferred from Chaogetu Hure Temple and enshrined at Guangzong Temple. He was honored as the temple’s first generation of Living Buddha, also known as Deqing Gege. In 1760, Alxa’s third prince, Lobzang Dorji, petitioned the Qing government to bestow an official name upon the temple. As a result, Emperor Qianlong granted the temple the plaque “Guangzong Temple,” written in four languages: Mongolian, Chinese, Manchu, and Tibetan. This name replaced the original name, “A Daxi Maideli Temple.”
During the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, Guangzong Temple underwent significant expansions. The remains of the 6th prince of Alxa, Nangdobu Solong, were also enshrined within the temple. However, in 1869, during the reign of Emperor Tongzhi, the temple was severely damaged by a military conflict and was later restored during the Guangxu period.
As the largest temple in the region, Guangzong Temple became a center of Buddhist faith and culture. It houses a vast collection of valuable Buddhist statues, scriptures, artifacts, and religious artworks. The temple also attracted renowned monks who were experts in both the exoteric and esoteric traditions of Buddhism. Additionally, the temple stored an immeasurable collection of ritual and offering vessels made from gold, silver, and precious jewels.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 2 hours |
| Ticket Price | 80 RMB (1st May – 31st October) 40 RMB (1st November – 30th April) |
| Opening Hours | 8.00 – 18.00 during weekends 8.30 – 18.00 during weekdays |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0483-2215999 |
Location and Transportation
Guangzong Temple is located in the Barun Bieli area of Alxa Left Banner, in the Alxa League of Inner Mongolia, China. It sits in a scenic valley on the western slopes of the Helan Mountains, approximately 23 kilometers southeast of Bayan Hot Town. Currently, there is no direct public transportation to the temple. Visitors have a few options to reach the site:
- Private Car Hire: The most reliable way to reach Guangzong Temple is by hiring a car from Bayan Hot Town. The journey takes about 30-40 minutes, with a one-way fare ranging from 70 to 90 yuan, depending on the season and negotiation.
- Seasonal Minibus: During peak tourist seasons, minibuses may operate between Bayan Hot and the temple. The fare is around 30 yuan, but this service is not always guaranteed and may be canceled without notice.
