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Huizong Temple is located on Huimeng Street in Duolun County, Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. Kaldan, leader of the Dzungar tribe of the western Eleuths, instigated by Tsarist Russia, brazenly invaded the southern desert. In 1690, Emperor Kangxi personally led the expedition and defeated Galdan. The following year, Emperor Kangxi personally traveled to Duolun Nor to meet with the Mongol princes and taijis of the three Khalkha tribes in the northern desert and the 48 banners in the southern desert, a meeting known in history as the Duolun Conference. Emperor Kangxi agreed to the request to build a temple to commemorate the grand ceremony and began construction on Huizong Temple.
Huizong Temple is a wooden structure, with a 15-meter-high hall resting on a stone foundation. The main hall is flanked by two stories, supported by twenty one-meter-thick beams. The north hall contains 9981 rooms. The overall design is exquisitely beautiful. The roof features a blue glazed tiled dragon ridge, adorned with a golden wind-milled bronze temple crest worth a ton and a half, a hanging scroll, and two antelopes. Within the main hall courtyard lies a five-story courtyard, approximately one and a half miles long from north to south and about a hundred meters wide from east to west.
Construction was completed on March 21, 1712 (the 51st year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi). In 1714 (the first day of May, the 53rd year of the reign of Emperor Kangxi), Emperor Kangxi bestowed the name "Huizong Temple" upon the temple, inscribing a plaque, an imperial inscription on the Huizong Temple stele, and a pair of white marble steles. Records of the temple's construction are written in Manchu, Mongolian, Chinese, and Tibetan. Huizong Temple features a dance hall, a main gate, the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the main hall (upper and lower floors) of the bell and drum tower, east and west side halls, official warehouses, fine warehouses, and a rear hall.
At the time, Huizong Temple was the largest lama temple outside the Great Wall, towering and resplendent. Over a thousand lamas lived within the temple, each receiving an annual stipend of fifty taels of silver from rented land and the various banners and counties. Furthermore, all produce from the land within a radius of sixty li surrounding the temple was appropriated to the temple. The main hall burned down during the Tongzhi reign of the Qing Dynasty, but was later rebuilt with funds raised, remaining as magnificent as before. In 1945, it was burned down by Soviet troops, and the remaining temple buildings were used as warehouses for the county grain bureau.
On June 25, 2001, Huizong Temple, a Qing Dynasty building, was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the fifth batch of national key cultural relics protection sites. The Huizong Temple we can see today is the new temple, which was renovated and gradually reopened around 2005.
Climate: Temperate continental climate
Best travel time: June to October
Recommended play time: 1-3 hours
Recommended places to visit: Huizong Temple Square, Dashanmen, Tianwang Hall
free
All day
Huizong Temple is a historically important Buddhist temple in Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia. It has cultural and religious significance as a center for Mongolian Buddhism, reflecting local architectural styles and traditions.
The temple is located in Xilingol League, Inner Mongolia. Visitors can reach it by taxi or private car; public bus options are limited, and walking is feasible only from nearby accommodations.
Typically open from morning until late afternoon. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit for mild weather and clear skies.
Entrance fees are usually low or nominal and are purchased onsite. Online ticketing is rarely required.
Advance booking is generally not necessary except during peak festival periods.
About 1–2 hours are sufficient to explore the temple grounds and enjoy the surroundings.
Guided tours may be available in Chinese. English tours or audio guides are limited and may need prior arrangement.
Start from the main entrance, visit the primary prayer halls, explore side courtyards, and finish with a walk around the surrounding garden paths.
Night visits are typically not allowed. Special tours may occasionally be organized during festivals.
It is moderately visited; weekdays and early mornings are the least crowded times.
Basic facilities include restrooms and seating areas. Food and beverage options are limited.
Access is moderately easy, but some areas may involve stairs. Supervision is recommended for children and elderly visitors.
Cash is preferred for entrance fees; mobile payments may be accepted at certain points but not guaranteed.
Local eateries and small cafes are available in the nearby town area. Options inside the temple grounds are limited.
Vegetarian and halal options may be found in nearby restaurants in Xilingol League town.
Several mid-range hotels and guesthouses are located within a short drive from the temple.
Souvenir shops nearby sell traditional Mongolian handicrafts, religious artifacts, and postcards.
