Temple of Bliss

Temple of Bliss is one of the four famous Buddhist temples in the three provinces in northeast of China. It is worth to visit when you travel in Harbin. Constructed in the 1921, the Temple of Bliss (Jile Temple) went through several changes before reaching its final shape in 1924 and held the consecration ceremony in 1928. Covering an area of 5.7 hectares, the Temple of Bliss is situated at the end of Dongdazhi Street in Nangang District, Harbin. Temple of Bliss is a Buddhist holy land in north of China, there are endless stream of pilgrims come to this temple to worship the gods and pray. 

Temple of Bliss Facts

-Chinese name: 极乐寺

-Location: No.9 Dongdazhi Street, Nangang District, Harbin

-Total Area: 5.7 hectares (14 acres)

-Time needed: 1 hour

-Entrance fee: CNY10 

-Opening Hours: 08:00 – 15:30 

Best Time to Visit Temple of Bliss 

There will be big celebration on the first and fifteenth day of every month, as well as the eighth, eighteenth and twenty-eighth day of April of our Chinese lunar calendar, Temple of Bliss will be very busy at that time. If you want to take Harbin trip during Ice and Snow Festival, the best time is from the end of the Dec to the early Feb. 

What to See at Temple of Bliss

The Temple of Bliss is a very spiritual place where you can feel a buzz and the incense smoke in the air. It is honored as one of four well-known temples in Northeast China on a par with the other three: Cien Temple in Shenyang, Lengyan Temple in Yingkou and Banruo Temple in Changchun. Temple of Bliss is looked upon as the model for visitors to understand and appreciate the art of Chinese temple building for its architecture and it’s lay out and all are designed strictly after the Chinese Buddhist style. Facing south, Temple of Bliss falls into three courtyards on the left, middle and right.  

A seven-story pagoda is the symbol of the temple. Measuring more than 30 meters tall, there are eight upturned eaves and graceful Buddhist pictures on the walls in each level. The Mountain Gate is built to resemble a Chinese character, which means mountain in English, hence the name "Mountain Gate". The Drum Tower and the Bell Tower enter the main gate of Temple of Bliss. At every sunrise and sunset, the monks will beat the drum and the bell of two towers for asking the other monks to do their morning and the afternoon worships. Temple of Bliss is made up of the Mountain Gate, the Heavenly King Hall, the Hall of Three Saints, the Hall of Mahavira, Scriptures-storing Tower, Chanting Hall, Side Hall, Anyang Hall, Shifang Hall and the monks' cells. The Heavenly King Hall is the first hall. There is a 1.6 meters tall sitting statue of Maitreya in the middle, with the sitting statues of the Four Heavenly Kings in the east and west.

Major Temple of Bliss Attractions

Heavenly King Hall

The Heavenly King Hall is the first hall on arrival. When you enter the temple of the Heavenly King Hall, the first thing that comes into your eyes is the giant smiling Buddha with a big belly, his name is Maitreya. The sitting statues on the east and west side are the Four Heavenly Kings, the magic weapons they hold symbolizes fine weather and good harvest

Hall of Mahavira

The Hall of Mahavira is the main building of Jile Temple which is located in the center area of the axis of the whole temple complex. There is a pair of majestic stone lions in front of the Hall of Mahavira, and it is said they were came down from Tang Dynasty. A 2.7 meters tall sitting statue at the center of the hall is Sakayamuni, the founder of Buddhism. The golden symbol on his chest was read as “Wan” by Empress Wu zetian of Tang Dynasty. It symbolizes auspiciousness and the protection of God, as well as the alternation of life and our four seasons, peace and prosperity.

Seven-Storied Pagoda

The Seven-Storied Pagoda located in the east of the Temple of Bliss. The height of this tower is around 37 meters, the layout is very rare is China. It is an octagonal seven-storied pavilion style brick tower. There are windows on the east, south and west sides. In the north side, there are windows above the 3rd floor. The rest are surrounded by arched niche with 31 vivid arhat sculpted reliefs. 

How to Get to Temple of Bliss

1. It can be reached by bus 3, 6, 14, 33, 37, 53, 55, 66, 74, 92, 104, 105. Get off at Harbin Engineering University station, and walk about 4mins can arrive there.

2. Take Subway Line 1, get off at Harbin Engineering University station, and walk about 4mins can arrive there.

More Attractions in Habin