[1][2][3] Guangzong Temple was first built by Ahwang Duoerji (阿旺多尔济), a disciple of the 6th Dalai Lama, in 1757, in the reign of Qianlong Emperor (1736–1795) the Qing dynasty (1644–1911).

Three years later, Qianlong Emperor inscribed and honored the name "Guangzong Temple" (广宗寺) in Mongolian, Chinese, Tibetan and Manchu.

[4][2][5] In 1966, Mao Zedong launched the Cultural Revolution, the Red Guards had attacked Guangzong Temple, volumes of sutras, historical documents, and other works of art were either removed, damaged or destroyed in the ten-year movement.

[2] After the 3rd Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party, according to the national policy of free religious belief, regular scripture lectures, meditation and other features of temple life were resumed in Yanfu Temple.

The ashes of the 6th Dalai Lama were enshrined in a newly established stupa.