Discover Yushu: Temples, Remembrance and Hotels

Religious history, earthquake remembrance and cultural themes offer different points of interest on a trip to Yushu. Jiegu Temple tells of changing religious traditions; the Yushu Earthquake Memorial Hall focuses on relief and rescue efforts, while the Gesar King sculpture refers to an epic. An observation platform offers views of Yushu and the reconstruction after the earthquake. When looking for a hotel in Yushu, you can weigh up which of these themes interests you most as you plan your trip.

Jiegu Temple: religious development in the area

Jiegu Temple is located on the northern slope of Jieguduo Mountain in Yushu City, at an elevation of 3,700 metres. Its current religious affiliation is the Sakya school. This classification is the culmination of a historical sequence: the temple was initially a Bön temple, and later became a temple of the Kagyu school. In 1389, the Sakya master Dangqinwa Jiagaxi Ranjian Co converted it to the Sakya tradition.

This sequence makes it possible to view the temple not only in terms of its present affiliation, but also in light of the earlier stages of its history. The year 1389 gives the transition to the Sakya tradition a specific date. For travellers interested in religious history, the focus is therefore both on the temple's current classification and on the changes that preceded it.

Earthquake remembrance and reconstruction

The Yushu Earthquake Memorial Hall is a documentary exhibition centre. It comprehensively documents the difficult relief and rescue efforts following earthquakes in high-altitude regions. The memorial complex includes an earthquake ruin, the memorial museum itself and Gratitude Square. This layout distinguishes the ruin, museum and square, giving the site several specific points of interest.

The focus is not only on earthquakes, but also explicitly on the difficult relief and rescue efforts that followed. This distinguishes the memorial hall's focus from the view of reconstruction: the hall documents operations in high-altitude regions, while the observation platform on Dandang Mountain looks out over Yushu and the reconstruction after the earthquake. Both themes relate to the effects of earthquakes, but each has a different emphasis.

The Gesar sculpture and views over Yushu

The Gesar King sculpture depicts the protagonist of the epic “The Gesar Kings.” Its subject thus refers to a specifically named story. Visitors interested in cultural depictions will find a different perspective here than at Jiegu Temple: the temple focuses on the history of religious traditions, while the sculpture depicts a figure from the epic.

Another perspective can be found on Dandang Mountain. The observation platform there offers a vantage point over Yushu and the reconstruction after the earthquake. This makes it possible to compare the perspective of the documentary memorial hall with the view of the city and the reconstruction. This distinction may help you decide what to focus on: the hall covers relief and rescue efforts, while the platform looks out over Yushu and the reconstruction.

A historic temple in the surrounding area

The surrounding area also includes the Wencheng Princess Temple, also known as the Dairi-Rulai Buddha Hall. It is located in Benagou, 20 kilometres south of Yushu City, and is more than 1,300 years old. It is therefore outside the immediate city area of Yushu's attractions. Its location south of the city and its great age offer a different historical point of reference from the religious development of Jiegu Temple. When organising the themes of your trip, you can distinguish between temple history in Yushu, earthquake remembrance, cultural depictions and the nearby historic site.

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