Anyuan Temple

Anyuan Temple was formerly known as Ili Temple. It was built in the 29th year of Emperor Qianlong's reign. It was specially built to accommodate the Dashdawa tribe of the Junggar Mongolians who defected to the Qing Dynasty. Its shape was modeled after the Gulza Temple on the banks of the Ili River in Xinjiang (a missionary base of Tibetan Buddhism in the western desert), and has a distinct Mongolian architectural style.

The Pudu Hall is the main hall of the temple, and the interior is a three-story building. In the middle of the first floor, there is a wooden statue called Green Dumu, which is a national protected cultural relic and the treasure of the temple. The murals around are exquisite and colorful. The second floor originally housed three Buddha statues of Sakyamuni, Kasyapa and Maitreya, which are now on display on the third floor. On the third floor, there is a nine-headed, thirty-four-armed and sixteen-legged guardian statue called Mahakala. The roof of the hall is covered with black glazed tiles, which is extremely rare in temple buildings and royal buildings. It is said that it is in accordance with the theory of the five elements and "controls fire".

After the completion of Anyuan Temple, grand celebrations such as jumping and stepping were held. This temple not only became a place for the Dashidawa tribe living in Chengde to worship, chant scriptures and conduct religious activities, but also a place where the dignitaries of various ethnic minorities gathered every summer when they came to Chengde Mountain Resort to meet the Qing emperor. It was especially a must-stay place for the heads and chiefs of various ethnic minorities in Xinjiang when they came to Chengde.