Built in 1755 to commemorate a Qing military victory over Mongolian tribes, Puning Temple blends Han Chinese and Tibetan styles within a single complex. The front half follows standard Chinese temple design; the rear rises into a Tibetan-style mandala structure.
The highlight is the Mahayana Hall, which houses the world's tallest wooden statue of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion. At 22 metres, she is genuinely impressive — you circle the base looking up at the carved figure, with smaller attendant figures on surrounding platforms. The temple is still an active place of worship, which gives it a different atmosphere from the nearby museum-like Mountain Resort.