수미복수지묘

Xumi Fushou Temple is one of the great Outlying Temples of Chengde and part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage ensemble, built during the Qianlong reign in imitation of Tashilhunpo, the great monastery of the Panchen Lamas in Tibet. Its construction was prompted by the planned visit of the Sixth Panchen Lama to Chengde, and the temple was designed so that the high lama would find a setting familiar in form and spirit. For travelers interested in the religious diplomacy of the Qing, it is one of the most distinctive monuments in the city.

The temple's architecture marks it out at a glance. Unlike the Chinese-style halls of some of the neighboring temples, Xumi Fushou is built in a clear Tibetan style, with flat-roofed terraces, gilded roofs, and a central hall crowned by dragon-ornamented golden finials that catch the light from far across the valley. Inside, the halls hold Buddhist images, murals, and ritual objects in the Tibetan tradition, and the layout deliberately echoes the monastery it was modeled on. The craftsmanship of the roof and the gilded pinnacles is among the finest of any building in Chengde.

Give yourself at least an hour or two, and ideally combine the visit with Putuo Zongcheng and Puning on the same ticket, since the three temples together tell the story of how Qing architecture mirrored the empire's religious and political relationships with Tibet and Mongolia. The climb through the complex involves steps and some uneven stone surfaces, so wear sturdy shoes. As with the other Outlying Temples, this is an active religious site, so dress modestly and be respectful inside the halls. Mornings tend to be quieter and cooler.

Xumi Fushou is best visited as part of the Outlying Temples circuit, alongside the Mountain Resort, and for many travelers it is the most aesthetically distinctive of the group. Its gilded roofs and Tibetan forms offer a striking contrast to the Chinese palace halls of the resort, and together they make Chengde's heritage one of the most rewarding concentrations of imperial architecture in China.