The Three Great Temples of Kulun, the biggest surprise of my trip to Tongliao～

Kulun was established in the 17th century and was the only Lama Banner in Inner Mongolia during the Qing Dynasty that implemented a theocratic system. The city has three magnificent temples, all built during the Qing Dynasty, known as the Three Great Temples of Kulun. From south to north, from low to high, they are: Fuyuan Temple, Xiangjiao Temple, and Xingyuan Temple. Currently, Fuyuan Temple is still a place for religious activities, while Xiangjiao Temple and Xingyuan Temple serve as cultural relic museums. 🪷Fuyuan Temple Built in the seventh year of Qianlong (1742), it is the smallest in scale, with four main halls. The Sutra Hall is a typical two-story Tibetan-style pavilion, with red walls that are my personal favorite, making it great for photos. The main hall enshrines the Three Buddhas, and the caisson craftsmanship is exquisite. 🪷Xiangjiao Temple Located east of Xingyuan Temple, it was built in the ninth year of Kangxi (1670). Although it has a mountain gate, it is not open to the public, and one must enter from the mountain gate of Xingyuan Temple and turn east. Xiangjiao Temple was actually the office and residence of the Chief Zasak Lama, so its layout is completely different from Xingyuan Temple. The main hall of Xiangjiao Temple is the Maitreya Hall; the theatrical paintings on the lintel of the Jade Pillar Hall are very exquisite. 🪷Xingyuan Temple First built in the sixth year of Shunzhi (1649), it underwent a large-scale expansion in the fifty-eighth year of Kangxi (1719), making it the largest of the three temples. The main hall of Xingyuan Temple is built on a large platform, a two-story brick-wood structure combining Tibetan and Han styles. The main hall is a typical Tibetan Buddhist structure with "eighty-one rooms." The sunlight shining outside the hall creates a mysterious and ancient atmosphere with its interplay of light and shadow. The Three Great Temples of Kulun have endured over 370 years of weathering, with successive Chief Lamas making various degrees of repairs. They are one of the most well-preserved Gelug sect temple complexes in Inner Mongolia, blending Tibetan, Han, and Mongolian styles. The Three Great Temples were also the biggest surprise of my trip to Tongliao! 🪷The Three Great Temples of Kulun Address: Intersection of Central Street and Xingyuan Road, Kulun Banner, Tongliao City, Inner Mongolia Opening hours: 8:00-17:00, last entry at 16:30 (4.1-10.31) / 8:00-16:30, last entry at 16:00 (11.1-3.31 of the following year) Ticket price: 25 yuan/adult