[2025 Hohhot Attraction] Travel Guide for Diamond Throne Sarira Pagoda (Updated Mar)

Tired of superficial, check-in style tourism? Want an in-depth cultural exploration? Then you can't miss Hohhot's Wuta Temple Museum! This museum not only carries a rich history and culture but also attracts countless visitors with its unique architectural art. Let's unveil its mysteries together. I. Travel Preparations📄 - Documents: Bring your ID card for ticket purchase and identity verification. If you have a student ID, senior citizen card, etc., bring them along too. You might be eligible for discounted tickets🎫. - Clothing: Hohhot has significant temperature differences between day and night. Even in summer, it's recommended to bring a light jacket🧥. It's windy in spring and autumn, so dress warmly and protect yourself from the wind. In winter, prepare for cold weather with heavy coats, snow boots, scarves, and gloves. - Other items: Comfortable walking shoes👟 are essential, as exploring museums requires a lot of walking. Bring a portable charger to capture those precious moments. A small notebook and pen are handy for jotting down interesting historical facts. II. Transportation Guide🚗 - External Transportation: - Airplane: After arriving at Hohhot Baita International Airport, you can take the airport bus and transfer to a local bus or take a taxi directly to the museum. A taxi ride takes about 30 mins and costs around CNY 40–50. - Train: From Hohhot Railway Station or Hohhot East Railway Station, Hohhot Railway Station is slightly closer. A taxi ride takes about 20 mins and costs around CNY 20–30. You can also take a bus; check specific routes on your phone's map app. - Internal Transportation: The museum is located in the city center with convenient transportation. After arriving nearby, you can easily reach it on foot🚶‍♀️, enjoying the city's vibrant atmosphere along the way. III. Must-See Sights 1. Diamond Throne Stupa and Five Pagodas🗼 - This is the core attraction of the Wuta Temple Museum and a must-see. The uniquely shaped stupa consists of a diamond throne base and five small pagodas. The surface is covered with exquisite carvings of Buddha statues, scriptures, Bodhi trees, and other patterns. Every detail showcases the superb craftsmanship of ancient artisans, leaving visitors in awe. Standing at the foot of the stupa, you can almost hear the echoes of history. 2. Mongolian Astronomical Chart Stone Carving🗿 - This is the only astronomical chart stone carving in the world inscribed in Mongolian, holding high scientific and historical value. The stone carving clearly marks celestial bodies and constellations, demonstrating the remarkable achievements of ancient Mongolians in astronomy and giving us a deeper understanding of their wisdom. IV. Recommended Itinerary The suggested visiting time is 2–3 hrs. After entering the museum, first visit the Diamond Throne Stupa and Five Pagodas. Admire its architectural beauty from different angles, observe the carving details, and feel the weight of history. Then, proceed to the Mongolian Astronomical Chart Stone Carving exhibition area, listen carefully to the explanations, and learn about ancient astronomy. Afterward, take a stroll in the museum's courtyard, appreciate the ancient architecture and tranquil environment, and relax. V. Important Notes⚠️ - Protect the cultural relics: The relics in the museum have a long history. Please do not touch or engrave them. Turn off the flash when taking photos to avoid damaging the artifacts. - Observe visiting rules: Do not talk loudly or push and shove. Follow the signs and visit in an orderly manner, respecting other visitors' experiences. - Respect religious beliefs: The Wuta Temple has religious significance. Please maintain a quiet and respectful demeanor during your visit, respecting religious beliefs and customs. Come to Hohhot Wuta Temple Museum and embark on a cultural feast through time!✨

The Five Pagoda Temple was originally an important building within the Lama Temple Cideng Temple, built in the fifth year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing Dynasty (1727 AD). After the decline and collapse of Cideng Temple, only the Five Pagodas remained standing independently. Because the Five Pagodas stand tall and can be seen from afar, people believed that a temple still existed beneath the pagodas. For centuries, the Five Pagodas have been holding up the facade of the temple. The original name of the Five Pagodas was Vajra Throne Stupa, named for the five square-shaped stupas on the throne. The body of the stupa and the Vajra Throne are adorned with exquisite stone carvings. On the back wall of the stupa, there are three carved panels: the 'Map of Mount Sumeru', the 'Six Paths of Reincarnation', and the Mongolian 'Astronomical Map'. The 'Mongolian Astronomical Map Stone Carving' is particularly valuable and serves as important material for the study of the history of astronomy. The Five Pagoda Temple is somewhat similar to the Five Pagoda Temple in Beijing's Zhenjue Temple, giving a sense of familiarity and intimacy.

✅Overall Structure: The Five Pagoda Temple consists of three parts: the base, the Vajra seat, and the top of the pagoda. The top of the pagoda is made up of five square stupa towers, with the central stupa tower having seven eaves and the four corner stupa towers having five eaves. ✅Vajra Seat: The Vajra seat is a waist-constricted Sumeru seat, with carvings of lions, elephants, Garuda birds, and vajras on its waist. Above the waist are seven layers of short eaves. The south side of the Vajra seat features an archway, with a plaque above the door inscribed with "Vajra Seat Stupa" in Mongolian, Chinese, and Tibetan. Flanking the door are the Four Heavenly Kings. ✅Pagoda Body Decoration: The body of the pagoda is built with glazed bricks. The lower layer is inscribed with the Diamond Sutra in three languages, while the upper layer features thousands of gilded small Buddha statues, exquisitely crafted and elegant. The entire body is adorned with Buddhist-themed carvings, including 1,560 relief Buddha statues, exuding a strong religious atmosphere. ✅Precious Artifacts: The most valuable artifact in the Five Pagoda Temple is the Mongolian astronomical chart stone carving near the north wall. This astronomical chart has a diameter of 144.5 cm, with the celestial sphere centered on the North Celestial Pole, depicting the ecliptic positions of the 28 constellations and five concentric circles representing the North Polar Circle, Summer Solstice Circle, Celestial Equator, Winter Solstice Circle, and South Polar Circle. It is the only known astronomical chart annotated in Mongolian, holding significant scientific value. 📍Location: No. 48, Wuta Temple Back Street, Yuquan District, Hohhot. 🕑Opening Hours: Year-round, Tuesday-Sunday 09:00-17:00; Closed all day on Mondays. 🎫Tickets: Free 🚌Transportation: Take bus No. 27 (Ruyi Community East Gate - Tianjiaying Bus Terminal) and get off at Mengxi Cultural Square, then walk about 420 meters to reach the temple. Alternatively, take the Dangdang Bus Line (City Hall - Inner Mongolia University Entrepreneurship College) and get off at Dazhao Xilituzhao, then walk about 970 meters to reach the temple.