The Eight Outer Temples Travel Guide

Brief Introduction
Outside the Chengde Mountain Resort, there are twelve temples built during the Qing Dynasty (1644 A.D-1911 A.D). Dominated by eight districts at that time, they were called the Eight Outer Temples.

It took 67 years to build these temples. Standing for the different architectural style of various Minorities in China, the Eight Outer Temples is the symbol of the country unity and minorities solidification.

As they were under Eight different administrations, they were usually referred to as the eight Outer Temples. Eleven splendid temples were built more than two hundred years ago east and north of the resort.

Only seven temples remain intact today, reflecting the traditional art and culture of the Han, Manchu, Mongolian, and Tibetan nationalities. Six temples are now open to tourists - Putuo Zongchengzhi Temple, Puning Temple, Xumi Fushouzhi Temple, Pule Temple, Anyuan Temple, and Puyou Temple. Each one has its own particular features and special appeal.

Features
In fact, the "Eight Outer Temple" refer to more than eight temples. Altogether there are twelfth temples, among which eight were under the administration of the department in charge of vassal states in the Qing Dynasty. What´s more, all the eight temples are located outside the Gubei Pass, therefor they got the name "Eight Outer Temple"(which means "the eight temple outside the pass").

As time goes by, "Eight Outer Temples" have become a well-known name for the twelve temples. In December 1994, the Eight Outer Temple were placed on the UNESCO´s World Cultural Heritage together with the Mountain Resort.