Outside the walls of the Chengde Summer Resort in Hebei Province, temples of Tibetan, Han and Mongolian styles can be found scattered among the nearby hills. Built during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), they are collectively known as the Eight Outer Temples. As a symbol of the country's unity and minority solidification, it took 67 years to build these temples, which are larger than any temple in Beijing .

 National unity

The eight brilliant, golden temples, built between 1713 and 1780 under emperors Kangxi and Qianlong, are clustered along the northern and eastern sides of the Summer Resort. Apart from the Temple of Universal Benevolence (Puren Si) and the Temple of Universal Goodness (Pushan Si), built under Qianlong, the temples are designed so that their main gates face the Chengde Summer Resort. The significance of this is obvious: The eight temples symbolize the various ethnic groups from all parts of China, directing their loyalty towards the center of authority. Emperor Qianlong expressed this concept in his poem "One Hundred Rhymes from the Mountain Manor for Escaping the Summer Heat." He wrote: "These buildings embody the successful unity of the hearts of the people of the inner and outer lands." Following this belief, the palaces, halls and gardens erected under Qianlong' s direction stress the use of architecture to embody the theme of national unity.

Located in the east of the Wulie River are the temples of Universal Benevolence, Universal Happiness (Pule Si) and Pacifying the Outlying Areas (Anyuan Si). To the north and at the foot of the cliff is the Temple of Universal Peace (Puning Si). North of the Summer Resort are the temples of Complete Happiness and Longevity (Xumi Fushou Si), Potaraka Doctrine (Putuo Zongcheng Si) and Image of Manjusri (Shuxiang Si). These temples are arrayed around the Summer Resort on the eastern and northern sides like stars surrounding the moon in a semicircle.

Although each of the buildings has its own individual style, the overall pattern is one of harmony and unity. Whether viewed from a distance or up close, the Eight Outer Temples are models of architectural excellence. The four principal temples are described below.

Page:

1

2

3

4