The Buddhist Temple

The Buddhist Temple, located in the southwest corner of Zhangye City, gets its name from the largest indoor Reclining Buddha in China. Being the landmark building in Zhangye, the historical and cultural city, it is one of the most important historical places along the Silk Road, and a key historical and cultural site under the protection of the state.

The Temple, whose original name was Kasyapa Buddha Temple, was built in 1098 A.D., and is the largest remnant of Xixia buildings in Gansu province. In the scenic area some spots are opened to the public: The Buddhist Temple built in the Xixia regime, Longevity Wooden Tower built in the Sui Dynasty, Amida Thousand-Buddha Pagoda and Bell and Drum Tower built in the Ming Dynasty, and Shanxi Guild Hall whose fame resounded throughout the Northwest. The Buddhist Temple (the place of the Ganzhou District Museum), the major part of the scenic area, is a renowned Buddhist temple in the Northwest, having the name of “Famous monastery on the frontier, Buddhist Wonderland in the world.” The temple has the largest wooden framed and clay-modeled Reclining Buddha in China. The sculpture is 34.5 meters tall, with 7.5 meters in shoulder breadth, 2 meters in ear, and 4 meters in foot. It is covered by gold and colorfully painted, vivid and lifelike.

The Temple is magnificent and grand. The special-styled sculpture, abundant scrolls and relics are closely related to Xixia royalty. The Temple’s building style, sculpture, wood engravings, inscriptions, plaques and legends are valuable for the study of architectural history, ethnic culture and religious culture in ancient Hexi and the whole Western Region.