Badekar Monastery

Badekar Monastery, also known by its Mongolian name Wudang Zhao (五当召), is a prominent Tibetan Buddhist monastery belonging to the Gelug sect. It holds the distinction of being the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the entire Inner Mongolia region. The monastery's architectural design is notable for adhering strictly to the layout of the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery in Xigazê, Sichuan, and notably excludes any Han-style architectural elements. Its structures are arranged horizontally along the contours of the mountain.

History and Significance

The monastery's construction occurred sometime after the Kangxi era, supported by the Qing government's patronage of Tibetan Buddhism in Inner Mongolia. It experienced significant expansion during the reign of the Qianlong emperor, reportedly as a measure to pacify the local Mongolian population following a massacre of a rebellious group from the Dzungar Basin. Further substantial grants and expansions were received under the Jiaqing and Daoguang emperors. In recognition of its historical and cultural importance, Badekar Monastery was designated a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level in 1996. Since the reform and opening-up policies of the 1980s, the monastery has been developed into a significant tourist destination, and in 2001, the surrounding area was declared a national park.

Environmental Concerns

In recent decades, the environment around Badekar Monastery has faced challenges. Observations from the late 1990s indicate receding vegetation, drying streams, and encroaching desert conditions. These issues have been compounded by heavy summer rains, which contribute to soil erosion. The area in front of the monastery has also undergone urbanisation, leading to a marked decline in the number of willow trees, which were once abundant in the vicinity.