Tianjin Dabei Chan Temple: The Eternal Light Amidst a Grand Gathering
In 2025, the Tianjin SCO Summit—the largest edition since the organization’s founding—immersed the entire city in a festive and joyous atmosphere. Both banks of the Haihe River were brilliantly illuminated; spectacular light shows showcased Tianjin’s modern charm and conveyed the city’s warm welcome to the world. Among the lit landmarks, the lighting of Tianjin Dabei Chan Temple in the core area stood out uniquely. It blended into the lively summit atmosphere while upholding its profound cultural heritage.
As the largest and oldest existing Buddhist monastery in Tianjin, Dabei Chan Temple is a cultural relic protection unit and a historically significant building under special protection. It holds an important position in Han Chinese Buddhism. In recent years, the temple has been exploring its artistic charm, reviving the ancient architecture at night through nightscape lighting. The SCO Summit gave its lighting a special significance.
The lighting team adopted an integrated design for architectural and landscape lighting, integrating fixtures as seamlessly as possible into the building and surroundings. Floodlights hidden in the roof, compact devices tucked under eaves, and lighting equipment concealed in trees cast soft, warm light that highlights the flying eaves, brackets, halls and corridors. It restores the building’s rich original colors; even at night, the ancient, mysterious totems remain clearly visible, exuding solemnity and dignity.
The color scheme of the lighting is thoughtfully designed.
Pale gold symbolizes the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.
Soft blue brings tranquility and peace.
Star-like white represents the purity of Dharma.
These colors harmonize to create a natural, pure Zen space. Visitors can escape the hustle and bustle of the world amid the interplay of light and shadow, returning to inner grace and poetry.
The lighting of Dabei Chan Temple is not only a display of religious culture but also a window for Tianjin to show its cultural inclusiveness to the world. When guests from SCO member states see this unique lighting scene, they will surely be touched by Tianjin’s profound cultural heritage and open, inclusive spirit. Let light interpret the beauty of tranquility, and let light pray for world peace!
Project Information:
Design Firm: Beijing Taihe Lighting Design Co., Ltd.
Consulting: Peking University Planning & Light Environment (Art) Research Center
Implementation: Beijing Furuitelan Lighting Engineering Co., Ltd.; Beijing Weitejia Art Co., Ltd.
Product Support: ThinkGis, Huaermei, Xinlong, VF, Ouruijie, Bolileide, Nuoxinde
