席力图召

Updated June 4, 2026

席力图召 is a well-regarded tourist attraction located in Baotou, China. With a rating of 4.1 out of 5, it stands out as one of the top-rated tourist attractions in the area.

Location

You can find 席力图召 at China, Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, Yuquan District, 兴盛街.

Visiting 席力图召

Located in Baotou, China, 席力图召 is a tourist attraction that visitors to the area may find worth exploring.

Planning Your Visit

The tourist attraction is located at China, Inner Mongolia, Hohhot, Yuquan District, 兴盛街. GPS coordinates: 40.800028, 111.656384. Check locally for current opening hours and any admission fees before visiting.

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Xilituzhao is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery tucked away in Hohhot’s Yuquan District, best known for its vibrant glazed tile decorations. It’s also the largest temple complex in the city.

The name translates to “first seat” or “throne” in Mongolian, nodding to its history as the residence of the Xilitu Living Buddha—once the region’s religious leader. If you’re into Buddhist architecture, Mongolian history, or just want to see an active place of worship in Inner Mongolia, this spot is definitely worth your time.

The temple sits at the north end of Shitou Lane, right across from the well-known Dazhao Temple. It’s been at the heart of religious life since the late 1500s.

Built during the Ming Dynasty, between 1567 and 1619, it gained extra significance when the Fourth Dalai Lama was enthroned here. Emperor Kangxi even paid a visit in 1696 and gave it the Chinese name Yanshou Temple, which means “Temple of Longevity.”

This isn’t just one building. The complex sprawls over 5,000 square meters and features a grand scripture hall with Tibetan-style architecture, colorful glazed brick walls, and a handful of smaller halls.

A white stupa stands 15 meters tall in the southeast corner. There’s also the “Monument to the Pacification of Galdan” near the main hall, commemorating Kangxi’s military campaigns.

Key Takeaways

• Xilituzhao is Hohhot’s largest active Buddhist monastery, famous for its Ming and Qing dynasty glazed tile architecture.
• The temple played a central role in Tibetan Buddhism in Mongolia and still houses historical monuments, including an imperial stele.
• You can visit to see traditional Tibetan-style halls, a 15-meter white pagoda, and religious artifacts still used in worship.

Key Details and Quick Facts

Xilitu Zhao, also called Yanshou Temple (延寿寺), is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Gelug (Yellow Hat) sect. It’s on Shitou Alley in Yuquan District, Hohhot, and is the city’s largest temple complex, covering about 5,000 square meters.

It was first built between 1567 and 1619 during the Ming Dynasty as a small “Ancient Buddha Temple.” The First Xilitu Living Buddha served as the Third Dalai Lama’s representative and later hosted the Fourth Dalai Lama’s enthronement here. “Xilitu” in Mongolian means “first seat” or “chief throne,” reflecting its elevated religious status.

Important Historical Dates:

• 1585 – Main construction finished
• 1696 – Emperor Kangxi attended a sutra-chanting ceremony
• 1703 – Four-language stone stele erected (Manchu, Chinese, Mongolian, Tibetan)
• 1893 – Major reconstruction
• 1983 – Renovation

The temple sits between Dazhao Temple and Xiaozhao Temple on the same street. The main gate has a plaque reading “Lingguang Si Che” (灵光四澈), with “Yanshou Temple” in smaller characters above.

Inside, there’s a ceremonial archway, main hall, Bodhi Hall, 护法殿 (Dharma Protector Hall), and several other buildings all arranged along a north-south axis.

What to Expect at Xilituzhao

When you visit, you’ll find an active Tibetan Buddhist temple where monks still worship and hold ceremonies every day. It’s both a slice of history and a living place of faith.

The temple follows a traditional Han architectural layout, with symmetrical buildings along a central axis. The main hall merges a sutra hall and Buddha worshiping hall in Tibetan wooden style.

Walls are decorated with colored glazed bricks, and the roof is topped with green glazed tiles. The sutra hall is original, but the Buddha worshiping hall was damaged by fire.

Key features to notice:

• White marble pagoda – 15 meters tall, east of the main hall; considered the best-preserved bowl-earthen style Lama pagoda in Inner Mongolia.
• Ornate paifang – A wooden archway across the street from the mountain gate, decorated with colorful paintings.
• Side buildings – Bell towers, drum towers, pavilions, and storehouses, all symmetrically arranged.

The temple can get packed during religious festivals, especially the Annual Buddhist Conference in the first month of the Chinese Lunar calendar. Throughout the year, worshippers visit regularly for religious practice.

Entry costs CNY 30 (kids under 1.2 meters are free). Hours are 8:00-18:00 from March to October, and 9:00-17:00 from November to February.

Plan Your Visit

The temple is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with a CNY 24 admission fee. It’s at the intersection of Xingsheng Street and Shitou Alley in Yuquan District.

Plan for 1-2 hours to explore the main halls and snap some photos. No need to rush.

Best Time to Go

You can visit Xilitu Zhao any time of year. The interiors stay comfortable regardless of the weather.

Morning visits between 9:00 and 11:00 AM are best for natural light and fewer crowds. Weekdays are quieter than weekends.

Spring and autumn have the nicest weather for walking between Hohhot’s seven major temples. If you visit from November to March, bundle up—winters get seriously cold here.

Getting There

Xilitu Zhao is in Yuquan District at the north end of Shitou Alley, just across from Dazhao Temple. It’s right in the old city, so getting there by taxi or public transport is easy.

The temple sits between two other big religious sites. Dazhao Temple is diagonally across the street, and Xiaozhao is just down the block. You can walk to all three in one go.

If you’re staying in modern Hohhot, it’s about a 15-20 minute taxi ride to the old city. Local buses serve the Yuquan District too.

Insider Tips

If you plan to see multiple temples, look for a combined ticket—it’ll save you a bit. The complex is a good size, so wear comfy shoes for wandering the courtyards and halls.

Don’t miss the four-language stele from 1703 in the courtyard. It’s got Manchu, Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan scripts, marking Emperor Kangxi’s visit.

The mountain gate sports a “Lingguang Siche” plaque, with “Yanshou Temple” in smaller characters above.

On the west side, check out the Ancient Buddha Hall. It’s the oldest part of the site, dating back to the 1560s, and most people walk right past it.

Photography’s usually fine outdoors, but double-check before snapping pics inside prayer halls. Since it’s still an active temple, keep your voice down and dress modestly to respect worshippers.

Nearby Attractions and Explore More in China

Dazhao Temple is less than five minutes away on foot from Xilituzhao—just cross the road. It’s Hohhot’s most famous Buddhist site, built in 1580, and has a massive silver Buddha statue inside.

The Old Town of Hohhot wraps around both temples, with traditional streets full of shops selling Mongolian crafts, dairy products, and Islamic food from the Hui Muslim community.

Within walking distance in Yuquan District:

• Dazhao Temple – The original major temple in Hohhot, known for rare Ming Dynasty murals.
• Qingcheng Park – A historic garden with pavilions and a lake.
• Five Pagoda Temple (Wuta Si) – Features a unique diamond throne pagoda with Sanskrit and Mongolian inscriptions.
• Great Mosque of Hohhot – One of China’s oldest mosques, showing off the city’s religious diversity.

Beyond Hohhot, Inner Mongolia has experiences you just won’t get elsewhere in China. The Xilamuren Grasslands are about 90 kilometers north, where you can stay in a Mongolian yurt, ride horses, or get a glimpse of herding culture.

Gegentala Grassland is another option, about the same distance, with similar activities. For a different angle on Mongolian Buddhism, check out Wudangzhao Monastery near Baotou (about 120 kilometers west). It’s the largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Inner Mongolia, built entirely in Tibetan style, unlike the mixed Chinese-Tibetan look in Hohhot.

Frequently Asked Questions

Xilitu Zhao sparks a lot of practical questions—about etiquette, timing, and how it fits into Hohhot’s temple circuit. Here are some answers to help you plan.

What is the historical significance of this Inner Mongolian monastery, and how does it differ from other major Tibetan Buddhist sites in the region?

Xilitu Zhao became the administrative seat for the Gelugpa sect in Hohhot from 1708, since the Xilitu Living Buddha held the Jasagh Dalai Lama role. That made it the region’s religious authority center for 归化城 (Guihua City, now Yuquan District).

Unlike Dazhao Temple, which was built first and hosted Altan Khan’s court, Xilitu Zhao became the ceremonial headquarters where the Fourth Dalai Lama’s enthronement happened in the late 16th century.

The monastery also controlled three subsidiary temples: Qiaoerqi Zhao in the old city, Wusutu North Temple at the base of Daqing Mountain, and Xilamuren Temple (the Xilitu Living Buddha’s summer home).

Emperor Kangxi visited in 1696 and renamed it Yanshou Temple after attending a sutra recitation. He later commissioned a four-language stele in 1703, with inscriptions in Manchu, Chinese, Mongolian, and Tibetan, still housed in the complex.

This imperial backing gave Xilitu Zhao political clout that lasted through the Qing dynasty.

What’s the best time of year to visit for ceremonies or festivals that travelers can respectfully observe without disrupting worship?

The most active times are Tibetan Buddhist festivals based on the lunar calendar, like the Great Prayer Festival (Monlam) in the first lunar month and the Buddha’s Enlightenment Day in the fourth.

Morning chanting runs from 8:00 to 10:00 AM daily, with monks gathering in the main hall. You can usually sit quietly along the sides during these services, but don’t take photos once chanting begins.

Avoid major Han Chinese holidays like Golden Week (October 1–7)—the courtyards get packed with tour groups. Late spring and early autumn are best for moderate weather and smaller crowds.

How can visitors get there from Hohhot, and what practical details should you know about transport, tickets, and opening hours before you arrive?

Xilitu Zhao is on the north end of Shitou Alley in Yuquan District, right across from Dazhao Temple on Da Nan Street. City bus routes 1, 3, or 6 will get you to the Dazhao stop; from there, it’s a 200-meter walk east.

A taxi from Hohhot Railway Station costs around 15-20 RMB and takes about 15 minutes, traffic allowing. The temple opens daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM (May–October) and 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (November–April).

Admission is 35 RMB per person as of 2026. No need to book ahead, but bring cash—card readers at the ticket booth aren’t always reliable.

What should first-time visitors look for in the architecture, murals, and statue halls to understand the site beyond a quick walkthrough?

The main prayer hall, Daxiong Baodian, stands out with its Han-style curved eaves paired with Tibetan flat-roof construction. It’s a bit of a hybrid—Ming-era architects balancing Mongolian tastes and Chinese building know-how.

Above the entrance, you’ll spot the “Neng Ren Xian Hua” plaque, which dates back to 1836 (the 16th year of the Daoguang reign, if you’re into dynastic trivia). Once inside, the three-story gilded Shakyamuni statue dominates the central altar.

On either side, 18 arhat figures—carved from sandalwood, and yes, they smell faintly sweet if you get close enough—stand guard.

Over on the west side, the Ancient Buddha Hall (Gufo Dian) is even older than the main complex. It started out as its own temple, Gufo Temple, in the late 1500s.

The murals in this hall are worth lingering over. They tell Jataka tales, and if you look closely, you’ll notice Mongolian clothing details that don’t show up much in Chinese Buddhist art.

In the eastern courtyard, you’ll find the Longevity Pagoda. It’s home to relics that Kangxi himself gifted during a visit in 1696—think coral prayer beads and a jade medicine Buddha.

What etiquette rules—photography, dress, and behavior—do locals expect inside prayer halls and around pilgrims performing rituals?

First off, hats off before you step into any prayer hall. When you sit, try not to point your feet toward any statues—locals find that pretty rude.

Photography’s generally fine in the courtyards and outside, but turn off your flash. Inside the halls, especially during worship or when monks are around, just put the camera away.

Don’t snap photos of prayer wheels or butter lamps unless someone says it’s okay. It’s one of those things people really care about.

Dress on the modest side—skip the shorts, sleeveless shirts, or anything that leaves your shoulders bare. Pilgrims doing prostrations (those full-body bows) usually move clockwise around the main hall.

Stick to the right side of walkways so you’re not in their way. And, almost goes without saying, silence your phone while you’re there.

How can you combine this visit with nearby highlights like Wudangzhao or Dazhao Temple in Hohhot for a well-paced two-day itinerary?

Start your first morning at Xilitu Zhao around 9:00 AM. Spend a couple of hours exploring until about 11:30.

Afterwards, just walk across the street to Dazhao Temple. It’s pretty interesting to see the differences in architecture and learn about the founders—honestly, they’re both worth a look.

For lunch, there are several restaurants along Da Nan Street. It’s a good spot to refuel.

In the afternoon, grab a taxi (about 30 minutes) to the Inner Mongolia Museum. The exhibits are surprisingly varied, so you might find yourself lingering longer than planned.

On day two, consider hiring a driver for a trip out to Wudangzhao Monastery in Baotou. It’s about 110 kilometers west—figure on 90 minutes or so, depending on traffic.

Wudangzhao feels a lot more remote, with these old residential courtyards that once housed hundreds of monks during the Qing dynasty. There’s something about the atmosphere that’s hard to describe; maybe it’s the sense of history still lingering there.

Or, if you’re up for something different, pair Xilitu Zhao with Wusutu North Temple in the Daqing Mountain foothills—about 25 kilometers northwest. That’s a bit of a trek, so you’ll need a private car.

If grassland temples are your thing, leave day two for Xilamuren Temple. The Xilitu Living Buddha used to spend his summers there, and the setting is honestly pretty unique.

This route really only works if you’ve got private transport, since public options are, well, basically nonexistent.