The Shengyou Temple Scenic Area is located in Zhaosu County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. It is the largest and best-preserved Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Xinjiang region, and also a national 4A-level tourist scenic area. The Shengyou Temple was initially built in the 15th year of the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty (1889), with a total building area of 2,000 square meters. Its architectural style integrates the characteristics of ethnic groups such as Tibetans, Han people, and Mongolians. The overall layout of the temple is rigorous, and the halls are magnificent. Many precious cultural relics and religious artworks are treasured in the temple. The scenic area has a beautiful surrounding environment, with vast grasslands and picturesque scenery, presenting a strong ethnic cultural atmosphere and unique natural scenery.
Historical Culture
The Shengyou Temple is a Gelugpa Tibetan Buddhist monastery jointly built by Mongolian herdsmen of the Torgut and Khoshuut tribes. After the Torgut tribe returned eastward through arduous efforts, in order to commemorate this history and pray for peace, they carefully constructed this temple. The Shengyou Temple has witnessed the integration and development of multiple ethnic groups in the local area and is an important historical and cultural heritage in the Yili region. Cultural relics such as the Buddha statues and murals in the temple not only have extremely high artistic value but also reflect the religious beliefs and social life of that time. These cultural relics and buildings are important physical materials for studying the dissemination and development of Tibetan Buddhism in the Xinjiang region.
Main Attractions
The Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall is the main building of the Shengyou Temple. It is tall and majestic, with upturned eaves and brackets, showing great grandeur. Inside the hall, tall Buddha statues are enshrined, and the Buddha statues are exquisitely shaped, solemn and sacred. Exquisite murals are painted on the surrounding walls, with rich mural contents showing Buddhist stories and religious culture. The architectural decoration of the Mahavira Hall is exquisite, reflecting the unique style of Tibetan Buddhist architecture, and it is one of the must-visit attractions for tourists.
The Sutra Hall
The Sutra Hall is a place where monks conduct religious activities and studies. Many bookshelves for Buddhist scriptures are placed in the Sutra Hall, and a large number of Buddhist scriptures are stored on them. The layout of the Sutra Hall is solemn and respectful, filled with a strong religious atmosphere. Tourists can feel the broad and profound Buddhist culture here and learn about the religious rituals and traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Cultural Relics Exhibition Room
Many precious cultural relics, including Buddha statues, religious implements, and religious supplies, are treasured in the Cultural Relics Exhibition Room. These cultural relics not only have high historical and artistic value but also reflect the social style and religious beliefs of that time. Tourists can have an in-depth understanding of the history and culture of the Shengyou Temple by visiting the Cultural Relics Exhibition Room.
Delicacies
Handheld Mutton
Handheld mutton is a local characteristic delicacy, made from fresh mutton cooked with traditional cooking methods. The mutton is tender, delicious, and rich in nutrition. Tourists can directly grab and eat it by hand, experiencing the local food culture.
Roast Whole Lamb
Roast whole lamb is a traditional delicacy on the grassland. After marinating and roasting the whole lamb, the outer skin is golden and crispy, and the meat is tender and juicy. Roast whole lamb usually appears during important festivals and celebrations and is a delicacy for entertaining guests.
Milk Tea
Milk tea is an essential drink in the daily life of local herdsmen, mainly made from milk and brick tea, with appropriate amounts of salt and butter added. The milk tea has a rich and fragrant taste, and it has the effects of dispelling cold and keeping warm, refreshing the mind. Tourists can taste the authentic Mongolian milk tea.
Admission Ticket
The admission ticket price for the Shengyou Temple Scenic Area is 30 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account of the scenic area, "智游昭苏", to obtain the latest information or purchase tickets online.
Opening Hours
The opening hours of the Shengyou Temple Scenic Area are from 9:00 to 18:00 in summer and from 10:00 to 17:00 in winter.
Itinerary for Visiting
After entering the scenic area, tourists can first visit the Mahavira Hall to learn about its architectural style and religious culture. Then go to the Sutra Hall to feel the strong religious atmosphere. After that, visit the Cultural Relics Exhibition Room to admire the precious cultural relics. After visiting the temple buildings, tourists can take a stroll around the scenic area and enjoy the grassland scenery.
Transportation
- Self-driving: You can drive to the Shengyou Temple Scenic Area in Zhaosu County through navigation software. There are parking lots around the scenic area, making it convenient to park.
- Public transportation: You can first arrive at Zhaosu County, Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture, and then take local taxis or minibuses in Zhaosu County to the scenic area.
Must-visit Attractions
- The Mahavira Hall: The core building of the Shengyou Temple, with magnificent architecture, solemn Buddha statues, and exquisite murals, is an important place to understand Tibetan Buddhist culture.
- The Cultural Relics Exhibition Room: It treasures a large number of precious cultural relics, allowing tourists to have an in-depth understanding of the history and cultural connotations of the Shengyou Temple.
- The Surrounding Grasslands: The grassland scenery around the scenic area is beautiful, and tourists can relax and feel the charm of nature here.
Suggestions for Visiting
- It is recommended that when visiting the Shengyou Temple, tourists should respect the local religious beliefs and cultural customs, and not make loud noises or inappropriate behaviors in the temple.
- When visiting in summer, pay attention to sun protection and mosquito prevention measures; when visiting in winter, pay attention to keeping warm.
- You can learn some relevant knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism in advance to better understand and appreciate the cultural connotations of the Shengyou Temple.
Notes
- When entering the temple, do not touch the cultural relics and Buddha statues casually to avoid damage.
- Do not litter in the scenic area and keep the environmental sanitation of the scenic area.
- Obey the arrangements of the staff in the scenic area and abide by the rules and regulations of the scenic area.
- When driving or walking around the scenic area, pay attention to traffic safety, especially when driving on the grassland, pay attention to the road conditions.