Baoguang Si, Chengdu

Baoguang Si is a very old temple in Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China. It has been around since the Han Dynasty. The name Baoguang Si was given by the Tang Dynasty Emperor Xizong, who sought refuge here in AD 881, when the empire was facing a rebellion.

Emperor Xizong gave the name Baoguang, meaning Shining Treasure, to the temple because he saw a light underneath the wooden pagoda of the temple. The light is said to have come from the buried holy relics.

Emperor Xizong instructed that the pagoda be rebuilt in stone. This 13-storey pagoda, called Sheli Ta, is still standing today. It is 98 feet tall (30 meters), and can be seen upon entering the temple grounds.

Baoguang Si pagoda, Chengdu
Source: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Baoguangsi.jpg
Author: BenBen


Baoguang Si Temple has an extensive, well-tended ground with over a dozen pavilions housing holy relics. There is a pavilion dedicated to Tibetan Buddhism as well as a stone tablet, or stelae, dating from AD 540.

The biggest attraction at Baoguang Si Temple is the Luohan Hall. Here, visitors can see 518 life-size sculptures of Buddhist saints along with 59 Buddhas and the Bodhidarma, founder of Zen Buddhism. There are also statues of ancient emperors including the Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong.

After thoroughly exploring the temple, many visitors retreat to the vegetarian restaurant located within the temple grounds.

How to reach Baoguang Si Temple

Baoguang Si temple is 19 kilometers (12 miles) to the northeast of Chengdu. You can get there by bus or taxi.

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