Chengde Eight Outer Temples are referred to the imperial temples which located at the eastern and northern side of Chengde Summer Palace as well as along the river bank of Wulie River and northern hill slope of Shizigou (Lion Valley). This group of architecture is originated from the reign of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of Qing Dynasty. Moreover, it is also one of the Lamaism Center of Qing Dynasty. During that time, there were eight temples that managed by the Lamaism Organization. All of these eight temples are all located beyond Gubeikou District and thus generally named as Eight Outer Temples. When the time flies, there were four temples added to the collection of architecture and formed a group of twelve temples. Although the number of temples was increased, the original name is still remained on use. Therefore, Eight Outer Temples has become the name of these twelve temples as a whole.
When you are here, you will have the opportunity to foretaste the solemnity of Potala Palace, experience the magnificent of Tashilhunpo Monastery Tibet, feel the unique style of Shuxiang Temple Mount Wutai, found the shadow of Gulja Temple of Xinjiang Province as well as witness the largest wooden made Thousand Hands Buddha. The temples are the best evidence of the cultural integration between Han, Mongolian and Tibetan. The huge covering area and the magnificent architecture of Eight Outer Temples has fully shown the high level of construction skills and artistic of early Qing Dynasty.