The buildings at the imperial mountain resort at Chengde were built in stages between 1703 and 1792 and were where Qing emperors from Kangxi (r. 1661–1722) onwards spent much of their time between the spring and autumn. Chengde was one of the three imperial centers of the Qing dynasty, along with the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. (...)
The buildings at the imperial mountain resort at Chengde were built in stages between 1703 and 1792 and were where Qing emperors from Kangxi (r. 1661–1722) onwards spent much of their time between the spring and autumn. Chengde was one of the three imperial centers of the Qing dynasty, along with the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace. Tibetan and Mongolian architectural influences are noticeable throughout the complex.
Puning Temple was completed in 1755 in honor of the defeat of the Zonggar civilization in northwest China. The Temple of Universal Peace, as it is known, was meant to be a symbol of the harmony between the Chinese rulers and the minority populations within their dominion. The Puning complex encompasses 23,000 square meters and contains numerous religious buildings, including eight temples, the Gate Hall, the Bell and Drum Towers, a Stele Pavilion, and the Hall of Heavenly Kings. The main temple at Puning houses three monumental wooden sculptures that are skillfully carved and colorfully painted. A Mahayana Buddha depicted as Avalokiteśvara is the central statue of the trio and is covered with hands and eyes made from pine, cypress, elm, fir, and basswood. It is believed to be the tallest wooden Buddha statue of its type in the world, rising to a height of 22 meters. The 15-meter-high portraits of Buddhist Boy and Dragon Princess stand on either side of the Buddha.
During the Cultural Revolution, Chengde, due to its imperial provenance, received armed protection so that the religious community could remain active. Though the temple has been in constant use since its construction, by the end of the 20th century its sculptures were in much need of conservation. The entire Chengde complex was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994.
