Meidaizhao Lamasery is located around 80 km east of Baotou city. It was built in 1575 for Alatanhan, a leader of the Mongol tribe in ancient China, also the 17th generation of Genghis Khan. It was one of the most important centers for spreading Tibetan Buddhism in Inner Mongolia.
Meidaizhao Lamasery is more of a walled city than a lamasery. The architecture is a mixture of Central China style with Tibetan and Mongolian features. It covers an area of 4,000 square meters, and contains temples, royal palaces, enclosing walls and city gates.
The layout of Meidaizhao Lamasery serves for three main purposes: temple of worshipping Buddha, royal residence, and protection from invasion. The Lamasery is surrounded by long and thick walls with a total length of 681 meters. Watchtowers are built at four corners of the walls. This design will help protect the city from outside invasion.
Upon entering the gateway to the lamasery, the visiter is confronted with the main hall, the Hall of Sakyamuni (Sakyamuni being the founding father of Buddhism). Highly esteemed and very colorful frescoes depicting traditional Tibetan-Buddhist themes adorn the walls of the Hall of Sakyamuni. Next to the main hall is located the three-storey-high edifice in whose chapel, or prayer hall, Alatanhan and his wife regularly worshipped.
As indicated, Meidaizhao Lamasery is situated within the confines of Meidaizhao Old Village, which is a noteworthy tourist site in and of itself, given its Mongol heritage. Visitors who overnight at Meidaizhao Old Village can choose to reside with a Mongol family and thus experience first-hand what authentic Mongolian lifestyle - albeit, as it is lived at present - is like.
Opening hours: 08:00-18:00
Admission Fees: 15 yuan / person
Contact: 0471-5148142
Best time: Throughout the year
Complaint Phone: 0471-5148142