The Five Pagoda Temple (Wuta si), located in the southern section of town, is a miniature temple built in Indian style, so named for the five four-sided pagodas that jut up from the rectangular base of the building. This is a pretty temple that is worth taking time out to visit, especially if you are in the vicinity of this older section of town.

Originally the temple was used by followers and monks as a stuppa for relics and was, up until the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911 AD), a part of a larger complex, the Ci Deng Temple (Ci deng si). This has now all but disappeared and nowadays the temple is surrounded by a large, dusty, concrete yard, and a number of small shops selling postcards, incense and various Buddhist oddities.

The structure itself rises to a height of 16 meters and is of a glazed brick finish, covered with over 1000 hand carved Buddhas and Mongolian, Tibetan & Sanskrit script. You can climb to the top of the base to get a look at the pagodas themselves, or head to the back of the building where a carved screen includes a rare Mongolian astronomical map, marking hundreds of stars (the only of its kind in the world).

Address: On Wutasi houjie, just off Gongyuan xilu.
How to get Five Pagoda Temple : There are numerous ways to reach the temple. A taxi from most areas of town should cost no less than RMB10. The temple is just to the south of Renmin Park, southwards along Gongyuan xilu. From the city center, bus No.1 will also take you there.
Opening: 9am-5pm.