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.
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:
Sight Location: Xian, China (See walking tours in Xian)
Sight Type: Religious
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Xian, China
Create Your Own Walk in Xian
Creating your own self-guided walk in Xian is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Historical Religious Sites
A melting pot of different cultures and faiths, Xian, once the start of the historical Silk Road, for centuries had seen traders from far and wide come to do business. Many a foreigner eventually settled in Xian, bringing along their cuisine, customs, and religious practices. Hence the number of pagodas, Buddhist and Taoist temples, as well as mosques found in the city, some of which trace back... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
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Xian became a cultural and political center of China in the 11th century BC and was the capital city of eleven imperial Chinese dynasties.
For a western comparison, Xian closely resembles Rome. At the beginning of the first millennium, there were two major powers sitting at the ends of the civilized world, the Roman Empire in the west and the Han Dynasty in the east, each commanding roughly the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
For a western comparison, Xian closely resembles Rome. At the beginning of the first millennium, there were two major powers sitting at the ends of the civilized world, the Roman Empire in the west and the Han Dynasty in the east, each commanding roughly the... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.4 Km or 2.7 Miles
Shopping Streets Tour
Back in the day, Xian was the starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Foreign traders used to come here to procure local merchandise such as tea, silk, and porcelain that were in high demand internationally throughout centuries.
In recent years, although the commercial center in China has shifted to the coastline area, Xian remains a major destination for quality shopping, especially when it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
In recent years, although the commercial center in China has shifted to the coastline area, Xian remains a major destination for quality shopping, especially when it... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles