1. Jietai Temple
Jietai Temple is located in Yongding Town, Mentougou District, Beijing. It is a tourist destination that integrates natural scenery, cultural landscapes, and religious culture, with a history dating back over a thousand years to the Sui and Tang dynasties.
The main attractions within the temple include: ancient pine and ancient locust trees, century-old flowers, and Dazhong Pavilion and so on. Among them, the ancient pine and ancient locust trees are peculiar and highly ornamental trees in Jietai Temple. There is the Nine Dragon Pine, with a tree age exceeding a thousand years, resembling dragon claws guarding the ancient pagoda, the Baota Pine resembling a reclining dragon, and the Chinese scholar-tree with a tree age of a thousand years; Century-old flowers refer to dozens of lilac and peony flowers planted during the Qianlong period, with a flowering age of two hundred years; The Dazhong Pavilion is an ancillary building of the Dizang Courtyard in the temple, with a large bronze bell hanging inside, cast during the Ming Dynasty, emitting a melodious sound echoing throughout the temple, used for entertainment and prayer by tourists.
2. Tanzhe Temple
Tanzhe Temple is located on Tanwang Road, Mentougou District, Beijing, and is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the Beijing area. According to historical records, Tanzhe Temple was first built during the Western Jin Dynasty, with a history of over 1700 years. It is known as "Tanzhe Temple existed first, followed by Beijing City" in folk sayings, and it is now a millennium-old temple full of natural and cultural charm.
The main attractions within the temple include: Stone Fish, ancient Magnolia grandiflora, and ancient Cypress, etc. Among them, the Bamboo Grove Courtyard is named after the two precious bamboos, "Gold-Inlaid Jade" and "Jade-Inlaid Gold," in its two pools. The courtyard is lush with bamboo, and when the wind blows, the bamboo leaves rustle, resembling a chant, bringing peace to the mind; The Stone Fish is a major highlight of Tanzhe Temple, stored in the Dragon King Hall, vivid in shape, resembling bronze casting, but actually made of rock, capable of producing five sounds when struck. It is said to be a treasure from the South Sea Dragon Palace given to the Jade Emperor; The Emperor Tree is a giant ginkgo tree in front of the Pilu Pavilion in the temple, with a history of over a thousand years. Legend has it that when each emperor of the Qing Dynasty ascended the throne, a new branch would grow from the roots of this ginkgo tree, hence its name.
3.The Miaofeng Mountains Scenic Area
Miaofeng Mountain Scenic Area is located in Miaofengshan Town, Mentougou District, Beijing. The area boasts picturesque mountains, beautiful scenery, and profound cultural heritage, serving as a tourist destination that integrates natural landscapes, cultural landmarks, and religious culture, with a history dating back nearly a thousand years to the Liao Dynasty.
The main attractions within the scenic area include: Goddess Temple, Huixiang Pavilion, and Stele Forest and so on. Among them, the Goddess Temple is one of the most famous attractions of Miaofeng Mountain, enshrining deities such as the Bixia Yuanjun. The temple is exquisitely built and finely carved, making it a good place for worship and prayer; The Huixiang Pavilion used to be a building where incense was burned after worshiping at the Goddess Temple. Now it is combined with the Qitian Temple and enshrines gods such as the Mount Tai Emperor and the Emperor Wenchang.
In addition, Mentougou District, Beijing, also has other scenic spots worth visiting, such as Huangcen Xiangu Scenic Area, Baihua Mountain Natural Scenic Area, Jingxi Ancient Road Scenic Area, Shuanglongxia Natural Scenic Area, and Jingxi Eighteen Pools Scenic Area.
Translator: NIU Lihua
Reviewer: ZHANG Bo
