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Best Things to Do
Popular Best Things to Do in Tumed Right Banner [2025]
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Mei Dai Zhao
4.4
/5
386 reviews
6.1
Based on 10 reviews
16.8 km from downtown
Phone +8604728850012
Address: Tumed Youqi, Baotou, China
Recommended sightseeing time: 1-2 hours
No. 1 of Night Attractions in Tumed Right Banner
Highlights:
View pagoda & ancient temple
Ming & Jin Dynasty inscriptions
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Verified user reviews
Meidaizhao: A Perfect Fusion of Tibetan Buddhism and a Ming Dynasty Ancient City
Ancient city walls surround Han, Tibetan, and Mongolian architecture, and exquisite murals tell a century of history. It is a living museum.
I am Leo, a traveler constantly exploring dungeons in Earth Online.
Meidaizhao, formerly known as Lingjue Temple and later renamed Shouling Temple, is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist structures in Inner Mongolia and a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site. Located on the north side of the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, this unique ancient structure was built during the Longqing period of the Ming Dynasty (1567-1572). It was built by Altan Khan, leader of the Tumed tribe of Mongolia, after he was granted the title of Queen of Shunyi.
01 Overview
Meidaizhao has a circumference of 681 meters and a total area of approximately 4,000 square meters. It is surrounded by a wall of earth and stone inlays, approximately 4 meters high and sturdy. Corner towers are built at each corner, and a gate is located in the middle of the south wall. The temple houses approximately 1,650 square meters of Ming Dynasty murals, vividly depicting the political and religious developments of the Mongol Jin Dynasty during the Ming Dynasty. It is known as a mural museum. These murals are of great value to the study of Ming Dynasty Mongol history, Buddhism, architecture, and art.
02 Tour Route and Highlights
From downtown Baotou, drive approximately 50 kilometers along the Beijing-Tibet Expressway to Meidaizhao. Leo drove there himself. The breathtaking scenery of the Inner Mongolian steppes along the way was breathtaking.
Tickets cost approximately 30 yuan per person. For a deeper historical perspective, consider purchasing a guided tour or a mobile phone ticket. A typical visit with photos and a guide should take about two hours.
The first stop is the Meidaizhao Museum, located in the square in front of the temple and surrounded by stone lotus carvings. Although small, the museum offers a detailed overview of Meidaizhao's historical significance and cultural significance, including relics of shamanic culture and exquisite murals and thangka art.
The second stop is Taihe Gate. Passing through the museum, the majestic Yinshan Mountains and the vast Meidaizhao Temple unfold before your eyes. Climbing the city gate offers panoramic views of the lush temples and desolate hillsides, the surrounding scenery is unforgettable.
The third stop is the Main Hall. As the core building, it retains Ming Dynasty architectural style and houses the precious mural "Mongolian Nobles Worshiping Buddha." The dim lighting inside the hall adds to its mysterious and solemn atmosphere.
The fourth stop is the Empress Dowager Temple (Sanniangzi Temple). Here, Sanniangzi, wife of Altan Khan, is enshrined. She was the founder of Hohhot and actively promoted trade between the Ming Dynasty and Mongolia. Inside the hall, there are portraits said to be of Altan Khan and Sanniangzi, a unique mural found in Inner Mongolian temples.
Maybe because there is no public transportation, few people go there. In addition to the main hall, there are several small temples to visit. The highlight is the murals. There is an exhibition hall on the left hand side of the gate that explains the murals. You can take a look.
The city wall is only half, not circular.
It is pitch black inside the main hall, and it is a bit difficult to see the murals on the wall.
The White Pagoda is not in the Meidaizhao Scenic Area. You have to go through the village next to it. On a hot day, I didn’t see anyone climbing up.
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