White Cloud Taoist Temple (Baiyun Guan) is one of the largest and oldest Taoist temples in China, and is home to the Taoist Association of China. It holds an important position for numerous Taoists.

It is a popular worship destination for pilgrims, but not very touristy. It also holds one of the most bustling temple fairs in Beijing during the Spring Festival in January or February.

It serves as an active place of worship, an ancestral shrine, a reliquary, and as headquarters for the Chinese Taoism Association. The existing temple buildings date back as far as 1706. Until its recent restoration, the site had been used as a barracks for some years.

The White Cloud Temple is an active place of Taoist ritual and pilgrimage and has a thriving feel to it. It is generally laid out like a Buddhist temple but with some unique features, such as the three gateways at the entrance that symbolize the Taoist three worlds: Desire, Substance and Emptiness.

There are three monkeys depicted in relief sculptures around the temple and it is believed to be lucky to find all three. The first one is on the gate and has been rubbed black. The other two are in the first courtyard.

The complex consists of various halls with altars, incense and statues of Taoist deities. Although Taoist texts decry the pursuit of wealth and honors as empty, the gods of wealth tend to attract the most devotees.

One notable structure in the temple is the Laolu Tang, a large cushion-filled hall in the third courtyard originally built in 1228, now used for teaching and ceremonies.

Opening hours: 8:00-16:30 daily

Address: 9 Baiyunguan Road, Xicheng District, Beijing

西城区白云观街9号

Getting there: Take public Bus No. 19, 48, 114, 708 or 727