Main Building

Large Vihara, Gaochang, Xinjiang

Modern scaffolding currently (2007) covers the main building - a stupa, undergoing restoration - in the vihara. The stupa is located at the western end of the vihara's main axis and set upon a platform. Originally it was enclosed in a square building, whose remaining wall can be seen just to the left of the scaffolding.

The vihara measures 170m (560ft) east-west, and 100m (330ft) north-south. Besides the lecture hall and main building, there are smaller rooms, lining the interior walls, that were used for monks' quarters, storerooms, offices, etc.