Wolong Temple (Sleeping Dragon Temple), Xian

Wolong Temple (Sleeping Dragon Temple), Xian

The Wolong Temple is a Chinese Buddhist temple located one block north of the Forest of Stone Steles Museum in Xian. Wo Long means Sleeping Dragon and the temple is also called the Sleeping Dragon Temple.

The Wolong Temple was built over 1800 years ago during the reign of Emperor Lingdi of the Han Dynasty between 168 and 189 AD according to the details recorded in a stone stele. It was called the Fu Ying Chan Yuan temple during the reign of the Sui Dynasty. During the reign of the Tang Dynasty, a painting of Guanyin, Bodhisattva associated with compassion, by artist Wu Doazi was installed here and the temple's name was changed to the Guanyin temple. It got its present name, Wolong Temple, between 976 and 997 when during the reign the emperor Taizong of the Song Dynasty. The name was that of a revered Buddhist monk who rested within the temple after his many travels.

In 1901, the Emperor Guagxu and the Empress Dowager Cixi fled to Xian after the Boxer Rebellion. They expanded the temple and ordered statues from Mongolia and Tibet. There is also a large bell cast in the year 1033. The recently restored Wolong Temple continues to be an active place of worship for Buddhists in Xian.

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Wolong Temple (Sleeping Dragon Temple) on Map

Sight Name: Wolong Temple (Sleeping Dragon Temple)
Sight Location: Xian, China (See walking tours in Xian)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Xian, China

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