Cele Small Buddhist Temple
Cele Small Buddhist Temple, located in Cele County, Hotan Prefecture, Xinjiang, is a reconstructed Tang Dynasty (7th–10th century) Buddhist site nestled in the Taklamakan Desert foothills. First excavated in 1992, it showcases rare mud-brick stupas, frescoes depicting Sanskrit sutras, and artifacts illustrating the Silk Road’s religious exchange. The temple’s adobe structures, rebuilt using traditional techniques, offer a window into Xinjiang’s multicultural past, where Buddhism and Islam coexisted for centuries.
Historical Overview
Founded during the Tang Dynasty, the temple served as a monastic complex for Sogdian and Uyghur monks trading along the Southern Silk Road. It was abandoned after the 14th-century Islamic conquest but rediscovered in 1992, revealing 12 stupas and over 200 square meters of murals. Restoration efforts from 2005–2010 preserved its core structures, earning it recognition as a "National Key Cultural Relic Protection Site" in 2014.
Structural Layout
The temple follows a traditional garbhagriha (sanctum) layout with three main zones:
- Stupa Court: 12 clay stupas arranged in a circular pattern, each containing Buddhist relics.
- Murals Hall: A reconstructed chamber with frescoes of Bodhisattvas and Sanskrit inscriptions.
- Monastic Quarters: Mud-brick cells and a kitchen recreated using ancient construction methods.
Key structures include the "Thousand Buddha Wall" and the "Sogdian Merchant’s Tomb."
Major Attractions
- Thousand Buddha Wall: A 15-meter-long mural with 285 miniature Buddha figures, dated to the 9th century.
- Clay Stupas: Twelve 3–4-meter-tall stupas, some with intact relic chambers.
- Sogdian Tomb: A burial site of a Silk Road merchant, featuring a stone epitaph in Sogdian script.
- Uyghur Cultural Display: Traditional musical instruments and manuscripts from the 10th–12th centuries.
- Meditation Caves: Recreated cells for visitors to experience monastic life.
Suggested Itineraries
-
Classic Route (1–2 hours):
Main Entrance → Stupa Court → Murals Hall → Monastic Quarters → Gift Shop
Highlights: Murals, stupas, and Sogdian artifacts. -
Cultural Deep Dive (3 hours):
Guided tour of the temple → Participate in a calligraphy workshop (Sanskrit/Uyghur scripts) → Visit the nearby Cele Jade Market. -
Desert Adventure (Full Day):
Morning: Explore the temple and attend a monk-led meditation session.
Afternoon: Camel trek to the Taklamakan Desert dunes.
Evening: Stargazing at the temple’s desert observation deck.
Ticket Purchase
- Admission: Free entry; guided tours ¥50 (adults), ¥25 (students).
- Online Booking: Not required; tickets available at the entrance.
- Permits: None required for daily visits.
Transportation
- By Car: 1.5-hour drive from Hotan City via G315; parking ¥5/day.
- By Bus: Take Bus 3 from Hotan to Cele County (¥15, 1 hour), then taxi to the temple (¥10).
- By Taxi: Direct ride from Hotan Airport (40 minutes, ¥60–80).
Best Time & Tips
- Optimal Season: April–October (mild temperatures; avoid July–August heat).
- Essentials:
- Sun protection (hat, sunglasses).
- Comfortable shoes for desert terrain.
- Cash for the gift shop (no card payments).
- Cultural Sensitivity: Remove shoes before entering murals hall; dress modestly.
- Prohibited Items: Flash photography in murals hall, drones.
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Daniel Dorothea
Canada
Reviewed on April 29,2025
Shopping on Nanjing Road in Shanghai was just amazing! It's truly the "First Commercial Street of China", where tradition and modernity blend perfectly. You can find awesome souvenirs and experience the trendy vibes in cool stores. The neon lights at night are just spectacular, shining bright like Times Square in New York. The food here is incredible too. I had a feast for my taste buds. Shanghai, I'll definitely be back!
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May 08,2024
Elvis Eva
Canada
Reviewed on June 20,2025
As a solo traveler from Canada, I was nervous about navigating China alone—but this 11-day tour was PERFECT! From hiking the Great Wall at sunrise (Day 3) to gasping at the Terracotta Army (Day 5), every day delivered ‘pinch-me’ moments. The real showstopper? Zhangjiajie’s Avatar Mountains (Day 7)! Our guide made the stone pillars come alive with stories.
Massive thanks for handling all logistics—bullet train tickets, entry passes, car! And the 4-star hotels surprised me.
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Simon
America
Reviewed on May 29,2025
Our 2-day Zhangjiajie tour was beyond spectacular! As someone who’s visited Beijing and Shanghai for work, this trip revealed China’s wild, magical heart. Day 1 in Zhangjiajie National Forest Park felt like stepping onto Pandora—I’m a huge Avatar fan, and Yuanjiajie’s floating peaks left me breathless. The misty pillars and lush valleys like pure movie magic!
Then came Fenghuang Ancient Town, we eat dinner beside the thundering waterfall. It seems Unreal! The night views of stilt houses glowing over the river were straight from a fairy tale.
For fellow Avatar lovers and adventure seekers: Don’t miss this bucket-list experience! 10/10 would return.
A Well-Traveled Film Buff, May 2025
Destination(s):
Zhangjiajie
Date of
Experience:
May 08,2025
