Jile Temple was built in the 1920s, rigidly following the rules of traditional temple building and is a perfect model of an idealized temple. For this reason, it is regarded as one of the four finest temples in northeast China.
The main gate of Jile Temple leads you straight to the Drum Tower and the Bell Tower. The drums and bells are beaten in the morning and at night to signal the start of prayers. For citizens of Harbin, this joyous cacophony forms part of the heartbeat of the city.
The towers sit toward the front of a complex of halls which includes the Heavenly King's Hall, the Grand Hall, the Three Bodhisattva Hall, and the Buddhist Book Storage Hall.
Perhaps the most famous structure at Jile Temple is the Futu Pagoda sitting in the far east of the grounds. A hall containing Buddhist statues sits at the bottom of this 37meter tall pagoda, and the whole structure is covered in niches in which embossed Buddhist sculptures sit.
In the fourth lunar month, Vesak is celebrated: a festival marking the Buddha's Birthday. On the 8th, 18th and 28th of this month (usually coinciding with May in western calendars) festivals are held in the temple involving mass celebration, bazaars and prayer.
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