The Potalaka Temple in Chengde, adheres to the school of Lamaism, and is named after Mount Potalaka, i.e. the mythical dwelling of Avalokitesvara and the place from where he preached. The photo to the left shows the main hall, referred to as the Great Red Platform.

In Tibet the Daila Lama is considered an incarnation of this bodhisattva and this temple is styled after Potalaka Palace, the old sanctuary of the Dalai Lama (fig.) in Tibet. The photo to the right shows the Paifang or Monumental Archway of Coloured Glaze, after which only high ranking nobles were allowed.

The temple complex covers an area of ca. 22 hectares, making it the largest of the Eight Outer Temples in the region of Chengde and one of the largest in China (fig.). The photo to the left shows the Five Pagodas Gate.