Dafo Temple of Zhangye

Introducing Zhangye Dafo Temple of Zhangye
The Dafo Temple of Zhangye is also known as Zhangye Great Buddha Temple. The Dafo Temple of Zhangye is renowned for its gigantic reclining Buddha statue, which was crafted in 1098 during the Western Xia Dynasty. The statue, which spans an impressive thirty-five meters, holds the distinction of being the largest of its kind in China. The temple was initially known as the Kasyapa Buddha Temple (迦叶如来寺), before undergoing several name changes to Baojue Temple (宝觉寺), Hongren Temple (宏仁寺), and ultimately, the current Dafo Temple (大佛寺). The term “Dafo” translates to “Great Buddha” or “Giant Buddha” in Chinese.

The Dafo Temple stands as the most extensive and well-preserved imperial temple from the era of the Western Xia Dynasty, a mysterious empire that was led by the Tanguts.. The temple complex is divided into three primary sections: the Buddha Hall, which houses the enormous Reclining Buddha; the Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall, showcasing a variety of Buddhist paintings and sculptures; and the Sutras Exhibition Hall, where the temple’s original sutras are on display.

Dafo Temple of Zhangye Fast Facts
• AKA: Great Buddha Temple, Giant Buddha Temple, Big Buddha Temple
• Chinese Name: Da Fo Si 大佛寺
• Best Time to Visit: April, May, Sept & October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Type: Sacred site, Buddhism
• Opening Hours: 8:00-18:00 from Apr to Oct; 8:30-17:30 from Nov to Mar
• Entrance Fee: CNY38
• Address: Dafosi Alley, Minzhu West Road, Ganzhou District, Zhangye, Gansu Province

What to Expect at Dafo Temple of Zhangye
The Dafo Temple of Zhangye is divided into three primary sections: the Buddha Hall, which houses the enormous Reclining Buddha; the Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall, showcasing a variety of Buddhist paintings and sculptures; and the Sutras Exhibition Hall, where the temple’s original sutras are on display.

The Grand Buddha Hall
The Grand Buddha Hall, the dwelling place of the magnificent Buddha, spans 48 meters (157 ft) in length, 24 meters (79 ft) in width, and stands 33 meters (108 ft) tall.
The Reclining Buddha statue, which is approximately 35 meters in length, was constructed using a wooden frame that was subsequently coated with plaster, painted, and gilded. This statue represents the Buddha’s last moments before achieving parinirvana, with his ten disciples depicted standing behind him.
Statues of the 18 arhats, considered to be the legendary protectors of Buddhism with supposed supernatural abilities, are also housed along the hall’s sides. The Grand Buddha Hall’s walls are adorned with murals from the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), illustrating scenes from the Mountains and Waters Sutra and the renowned Chinese novel, Journey to the West.
Despite the temple undergoing renovations during the Ming and Qing dynasties, the Buddha statue was left in its original state, preserving its Western Xia era form.

The Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall
The former Wansheng Hall, now named the Buddhist Art Exhibition Hall contains an exhibition showcasing Buddhist artefacts as well as an explanation of the history of the temple and the city of Zhangye and some fascinating models of how the Big Buddha statue was constructed over a wooden frame.

The Hall of Scriptures
The Hall of Scriptures, also referred to as the Sutras Exhibition Hall, presently houses more than 6,000 volumes of ancient Buddhist sutras. A number of these sutras were inscribed using powdered silver or gold, rendering them exceptionally precious and uncommon. The hall features a double wall behind it, extending 40 meters in length and rising 20 meters high. It is speculated that a version of Prajnaparamita sutra, penned with gold ink, was once stored within these walls.

Clay Pagoda (土塔)
Situated at the far end of the Dafo Temple stands the majestic 13-storey Clay Pagoda, also known as the Amitabha Thousand Buddhas Pagoda, which reaches a height of 35 meters. This white stupa, adorned with 36 copper tiles and 36 tassel bells at its apex, was initially constructed during the Ming Dynasty (A.D. 1368-1644), featuring four smaller towers at each corner of its first two stories. Numerous Buddha statues are venerated within its confines.

Historically, Zhangye was home to five pagodas, collectively referred to as the Five Element Pagodas, built in alignment with the traditional Chinese concept of the Five Elements. Presently, only the 13-storey Clay Pagoda in the Dafo Temple and the Wooden Pagoda in the Wooden Pagoda Temple remain, serving as significant historical artifacts of the city’s rich heritage.

Shanxi Guild Hall
Unlike the Clay Pagoda, the Shanxi Guild Hall was not originally a part of the Dafo Temple, but it has since been integrated into the complex. Established in 1724 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), the Shanxi Guild Hall served as a hub for itinerant merchants from Shanxi province to connect with each other and find a sense of belonging in Zhangye. These merchants, often referred to as the Jin Merchants, were savvy traders who initially dealt in salt, a trade sanctioned by the imperial government in exchange for supplying food to the imperial forces stationed in the frontier areas. This arrangement led to a significant presence of Shanxi merchants in remote western regions of China, such as Gansu province. Today, the Shanxi Guild Hall still houses a well-preserved gate, theatre stage, audience tower, bell and drum tower, memorial archway, and other Qing Dynasty buildings. A stroll through these historic structures offers a glimpse into the lives of the traveling Shanxi merchants in this secluded oasis town.

How to Get to Dafo Temple of Zhangye
• By Bus: Take bus 3, 6, 20 to Xiangfei Yuan Station.
• Charter a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle-free private transfer to Zhangye Dafo Temple.