Ji Le Temple

Jile Temple, located at No. 1 Dongda Street, Nangang District, Harbin, is the earliest and most influential Buddhist temple in Heilongjiang Province, and one of the key temples in Han Chinese areas nationwide. Construction began in 1921, sponsored by General Zhu Ziqiao and others, and founded by Master Tanxu. It was officially completed in 1924, and the Harbin Buddhist Academy, which trains Buddhist talent, was also established there. The temple covers an area of ​​57,000 square meters and is built in a classical Chinese style. It is divided into a main courtyard, east and west courtyards, and a seven-tiered pagoda area. Core buildings include the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Buddha Hall, and the Sutra Repository. The 29.7-meter-high seven-tiered pagoda is connected to the main halls, creating a unique layout. Today, it is also the location of the provincial and municipal Buddhist associations.

Features of Kek Lok Si Temple

1. As the earliest and most influential Buddhist temple in Heilongjiang Province, Jile Temple has a profound historical background. It is not only a key temple in the Han-inhabited areas of China, but also houses precious cultural relics like block-printed Buddhist scriptures from the Song Dynasty (reprinted versions).
    
2. The temple has a unique architectural style, mainly in traditional Chinese style. Among its structures, the Seven-story Pagoda connected to the Ksitigarbha Hall has a layout rarely seen in China, and some parts also incorporate Western architectural elements.
    
3. As one of the four major Buddhist monasteries in Northeast China, Jile Temple has a strong religious atmosphere with a lot of incense offerings. It holds regular Buddhist activities and grand temple fairs, making it an ideal place for praying and calming the mind.
    

History

I. Construction and Establishment (1921-1924)
In the early 1920s, to meet the needs of Buddhist activities in the Harbin area, Zhu Ziqiao, Commander-in-Chief of the Chinese Eastern Railway Guard, Chen Feiqing, Director of the Harbin Railway Bureau Inspection Bureau, and others jointly funded the construction of the temple, inviting Master Tanxu, the 44th patriarch of the Tiantai School, to preside over the project. Construction of Jile Temple officially began in the spring of 1923. After more than a year of construction, the main buildings were completed in August 1924. In the same year, Master Tanxu simultaneously founded the Harbin Buddhist Academy within the temple grounds, training professional personnel for the Northeast Buddhist community and laying the foundation for the temple's role in regional Buddhist education.


II. Establishment and Development of its Status (Post-Construction - Modern Era)

After its completion, Jile Temple, with its well-organized temple structure, profound Buddhist heritage, and professional system for training monks, quickly became a core site for Buddhist activities in Heilongjiang Province, gradually developing into one of the "Four Major Buddhist Temples in Northeast China," with influence covering the entire Northeast region. Over time, its cultural and religious value became even more prominent. In 1983, it was officially listed by the State Council as a "Key Temple in Han Chinese Areas Nationwide," establishing its important position in the national Buddhist community at the national level and garnering greater attention and support for the temple's protection and development.
 

III. Contemporary Role and Heritage (Recent Years to Present)

In contemporary times, Jile Temple has maintained its core function as a religious site, serving as an important space for Buddhists in Harbin and surrounding areas to conduct chanting, prayer, and other activities. Simultaneously, it also undertakes the responsibility of regional Buddhist management and cultural exchange, serving as the location of the Heilongjiang Provincial Buddhist Association and the Harbin Municipal Buddhist Association, continuously promoting the inheritance and research of Buddhist culture within the province. Furthermore, while properly protecting historical buildings and cultural relics such as Song Dynasty printed Buddhist scriptures, the temple is open to the public in an orderly manner, becoming an important window showcasing Harbin's religious culture and historical heritage, allowing more people to understand the connection between Buddhist culture and local history.
 

What can you do at Jile Temple?

When visiting Harbin Jile Temple, you can center your experience around three core themes: "feeling culture, praying peacefully, and visiting landmarks". Here are the key things you can do:

1. Worship Buddha and pray, immersing yourself in the religious atmosphere

• You can offer incense and kneel in worship according to Buddhist rituals in core halls such as the Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, and Western Trinity Hall, praying for peace and smoothness for yourself or your family.
• If you visit on traditional Buddhist days like the 8th, 18th, or 28th day of the fourth lunar month (e.g., Buddha's Birthday Bathing Festival), you can also participate in grand temple fairs or Buddhist activities held by the temple, and experience the serene chanting of scriptures and lively cultural atmosphere.

2. Visit architecture and cultural relics to understand historical heritage

• Wander through the temple and admire the classical Chinese-style architectural complex. Focus on checking in at the Seven-story Pagoda — this octagonal, seven-story brick pagoda connected to the Ksitigarbha Hall has a rare layout and is one of the iconic structures of Jile Temple.
• Step into the Scripture Storage Building to view precious cultural relics preserved in the temple, such as reprinted versions of Song Dynasty block-printed Buddhist scriptures and white marble statues of Sakyamuni, allowing you to intuitively feel the temple's historical and cultural value.

3. Wander around the temple grounds for a peaceful retreat

• The temple has a quiet and tranquil environment with lush vegetation. You can stroll slowly in areas like the Bell Tower, Drum Tower, and East/West Side Courtyards, escaping the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoying a moment of calm.
• If you are interested in Buddhist culture, you can also pay attention to the Buddhist culture exhibition boards in the temple or consult staff to learn more about the temple's founding history and Buddhist knowledge.
   

How to get there？

1. Bus
You can take Bus No. 89 or 117 and get off at the terminal stop - Jile Temple Station.
You can also take Bus No. 3, 6, 14, 33, 37, 53, 55, 66, 74, 92, 104 or 105, get off at Harbin Engineering University Station, and walk for about 4 minutes to reach the temple.
Additionally, you can choose from many other bus routes such as No. 10, 85, 108, 111, 114 and 116. Get off at the corresponding stop and walk to the destination.

2. Subway
Take Subway Line 1 and get off at Engineering University Station. It takes about 4 minutes to walk to the temple.
Besides, take Subway Line 2, get off at Daowai District Station, and walk for approximately 15 minutes to arrive.

3. Taxi / Ride-hailing Service
Taking a taxi or ride-hailing service from downtown Harbin to Jile Temple costs about 25 yuan for a one-way trip. The specific fare varies depending on the departure location and traffic conditions.

4. Self-driving
There are plenty of parking spaces around Jile Temple, making self-driving a convenient option. You can enter "Jile Temple" into a navigation app and follow the navigation instructions to drive there.
 

Travel Guide

【Chinese name】: 极乐寺
【Best time to visit Harbin】: July to September, December to next February, the two periods are the best time to visit Harbin.