Qutan Temple, Buddhist temple in Ledu District, China
Qutan Temple is a Buddhist monastery about 88 kilometers from Xining that spreads Chinese palatial architecture across a large complex with multiple halls and corridors. The entire compound covers about 15,000 square meters of connected buildings and covered walkways.
The temple was founded in 1392 by a Tibetan monk, and construction took about 36 years with support from Ming emperors. Three rulers helped bring this building project to completion: Hongwu, Yongle, and Xuande.
The temple walls display Buddhist murals showing mandalas and scenes from Buddha's life. These artworks blend Chinese and Tibetan painting traditions in ways you can still see today.
Wear comfortable walking shoes because the site has many stairs and uneven paths to navigate. Direct buses from Xining to Ledu provide straightforward access to this location.
The temple holds imperial gifts from Ming and Qing times, including gold seals and cloisonne vases. These precious objects show how much the emperors valued and supported this Buddhist site.
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