Temples are one of the most outstanding gems of China. They are not only symbol of China’s religions but also the holy land where Chinese history and culture are gathered. If you want to appreciate the cultural relics of Beijing, you cannot miss the ancient temples of Beijing. This article will introduce the top 10 most ancient temples in Beijing.
No. 1 Tanzhe Temple (潭柘寺)
Tanzhe Temple was first constructed in the Jin Dynasty and has witnessed about 1,700 years of history. And so there is a common saying describing the temple: Tanzhe Temple had already been built before Beijing appeared. The temple is built on a hillside and consists of various pavilions, prayer halls, courtyards and a group of pagodas dating back to the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Tanzhe Temple is situated on Baozhu Peak, Western Hills, in Meitougou District, on the outskirts of Beijing.
No. 2 Hongluo Temple (红螺寺)
Situated in northern Huairou District, Hongluo Temple is 55 kilometers away from the city center. It was originally constructed in the Eastern Jin Dynasty (317-420) and expanded in the Tang Dynasty (618-907). The one-thousand-year old temple faces Hongluo Hill in the north and faces Hongluo Pool in the south.
No. 3 Yunju Temple (云居寺)
Located in Fanshan District, southwest of Beijing, Yunju Temple is about 70 kilometers from the downtown area of the city. It was first built in 631 in the Tang Dynasty and has experienced over 1,000 years of history. Nowadays there are five courtyards and six groups of architectures inside.
No. 4 Zhengguo Temple (证果寺)
Zhengguo Temple is located deep in the mountain range of Xishan Mountain. The temple was initially constructed in the Sui Dynasty and has experienced over 1,300 years of history. Its name has been changed several times in the past one thousand years.
No. 5 Wanfo Hall (万佛堂)
Wanfo Hall, located at the foot of Cijiawu Fenghuangling, Fangshan District, Beijing, was built during the Tang Dynasty. Under the hall is a famous water hole, which is a large karst cave, where a monk in the Tang Dynasty created the hall.
