The Buddhist saying goes, "To sit is Zen, to walk is Zen; one flower, one world; one leaf, one Buddha." "In the quiet morning, step into the ancient temple; the first sunlight filters through the tall trees. Along winding paths into hidden depths, the meditation rooms are surrounded by lush plants and flowers." The atmosphere of an ancient temple is just as described in this poem—deeply tranquil and shrouded by bamboo groves. Within the temple lies a serene power that can calm the wandering heart amidst the complexities of the world.
This time, follow our guide to explore the temple culture along the Western Hills and Yongding River Cultural Belt, and immerse yourself in the peace that lies far from the city's noise.
1. Tanzhe Temple
Tanzhe Temple is situated at the foot of Tanzhe Mountain in the southeastern part of Mentougou District, about 30 kilometers from downtown Beijing. The temple faces south with its back against Baozhu Peak. Inside the temple, Tanzhe Temple covers an area of 2.5 hectares, with an additional 11.2 hectares outside. Including the surrounding forests and mountains managed by the temple, the total area exceeds 121 hectares.
Built during the first year of Yongjia in the Western Jin Dynasty (307 AD), the temple was originally called "Jiafu Temple" and is the earliest Buddhist temple constructed in the Beijing area. The Kangxi Emperor in the Qing Dynasty named it "Xiuyun Temple," but it has long been called "Tanzhe Temple" by locals due to the Long Pond behind the temple and the wild mulberry trees on the mountain. The temple's history led to the saying, "Tanzhe Temple was here before the city of Beijing."
Tanzhe Temple has a total of 943 rooms, including 638 ancient halls, preserving the style of the Ming and Qing dynasties, making it the largest ancient temple complex in Beijing's suburbs. The entire structure reflects traditional Chinese architectural aesthetics, with a central axis that divides the buildings symmetrically, giving the complex an orderly, clear, and layered appearance.
Due to its long history, Tanzhe Temple is home to numerous ancient trees. Among these, the most famous are two thousand-year-old ancient cypress trees in the Abbot's Courtyard, planted during the Liao Dynasty. Towering over 30 meters high, they reach into the clouds, making them the tallest ancient cypresses in the Beijing area. According to legend, an enlightened monk ascended to the celestial realm from this spot, earning them the name "Heavenward Cypresses."
On the southern side of the Pilu Pavilion courtyard stand two towering ancient trees, one of which is the sacred sal tree, a revered tree in Buddhism. Also known as the "Seven-Leaf Tree," its leaves resemble hand shapes with seven lobes. Each summer, it blooms with clusters of white flowers, creating the illusion of white candles adorning the dark green branches.
Each year around the Chinese Lunar New Year, Tanzhe Temple becomes a bustling hub of visitors. Starting from the twelfth lunar month, the temple draws crowds, especially during the Laba Festival, which falls on the eighth day of the twelfth lunar month, when it is famous for offering congee. Known for its legendary "Treasure Pot," the temple attracts a steady stream of people eager to taste this auspicious meal. During the Spring Festival, Tanzhe Temple also hosts a "Welcoming Spring and Blessing" ceremony—a major highlight of the season.
Contact: 010-60862244, 010-60862505
Address: Tanzhe Mountain, Tanzhe Temple Town, Mentougou District, Beijing
Public Transport: Take Bus 7 from Qianmen or Fuchengmen, or transfer to Bus 931 at Pingguoyuan
Self-driving Route: From downtown, head west along Fushi Road from Wukong Bridge, and take National Highway 108 directly to Tanzhe Temple. Alternatively, from Yesanpo Scenic Area, take National Highway 108 through Magezhuang, Xiayunling, and Fozizhuang.
2. Jietai Temple
Jietai Temple is located on Ma'anshan Mountain in western Beijing's Mentougou District, 35 kilometers from the city. Founded during the Sui Dynasty (581-600 AD), it is one of Beijing's oldest royal temples. The temple is famous for housing China's largest ordination altar, where the highest level of Buddhist monastic vows, the Bodhisattva Precepts, are conferred, earning it the name "The First Altar in the World." With an ancient and tranquil atmosphere, the temple combines the grandeur of Beijing temples with the refined elegance of southern Chinese gardens, rich in both religious culture and scenic beauty.As a result, it is not only a renowned Buddhist temple in China but also a famous tourist destination.
Address: Ma'anshan Mountain, Yongding Town, Mentougou, Beijing
3. Xishan Dajue Temple
Dajue Temple, also known as Xishan Dajue Temple or Dajue Zen Temple, is located at the foot of Yangtai Mountain in Haidian District, Beijing. It was originally established in 1068 during the Liao Dynasty under the name Qing Shui Yuan (Clear Water Monastery). During the Jin Dynasty, Dajue Temple became one of the eight major water monasteries built by Emperor Zhangzong in the WesternHills region. It was later renamed Lingquan Temple, and after reconstruction in the Ming Dynasty, it became Dajue Temple.
Dajue Temple is renowned for its clear springs, ancient trees, magnolia flowers, and elegant surroundings. The temple is home to 160 ancient trees, including a 1,000-year-old ginkgo, a 300-year-old magnolia, ancient sal trees, and pines and cypress. The magnolia flowers at Dajue Temple, along with the lilacs at Fayuan Temple and peonies at Chongxiao Temple, are considered part of Beijing's "Three Great Flower Temples." Dajue Temple's "Eight Wonders" include: the fragrance of orchids, the thousand-year-old ginkgo, old vines embracing cypress trees, the Dahurian buckthorn tree entwined with cypress, the spring water, the Liao Dynasty ancient stele, pines and cypress encircling a pagoda, and the serene, clear pond.
Public transport: Take Bus 633 (Anningzhuang Donglu(Rd) South Exit - Yangtiao) to the Dajue Temple stop, and then walk to the temple.
Self-drive route: From the Summer Palace, turn left after Taizhou Dock and follow the old road past the hot springs, following the signs to Junzhuang Lu(Rd).
4. Wofo Temple
Shifang Pujue Temple (Wofo Temple) is located at the foot of Shou'an Mountain in the Beijing Botanical Garden. It was established in the early years of the Tang Dynasty's Zhenguan period. The temple is home to towering ancient trees and lush flowers, and it is a key protected cultural relic unit in Beijing. The Wofo Hall is the main structure of the Wofo Temple in the western suburbs of Beijing. Upon entering the temple, passing through the glazed archway, the Shanmen Hall, the Tianwang Hall, and the Sanshi Hall, one arrives at the Wofo Hall.
Inside the hall lies a copper statue of the reclining Shakyamuni Buddha, cast in the Yuan Dynasty during the Zhizhi reign (1321 AD). The statue is 5.3 meters long and weighs 54 tons. Surrounding the Buddha are statues of the twelve Bodhisattvas, which depict Shakyamuni Buddhagiving his final teachings to his disciples before his passing. The craftsmanship of these statues is exquisite, with natural postures that reflect the wisdom and skill of China's ancient artisans.
Address:Inside Beijing Botanical Garden, Wofosi Lu(Rd), Haidian, Beijing
Public Transport:
Take bus 331, 563, or Yuntong 112 to the Beijing Botanical Garden South Gate or Wofosi Station.Alternatively, take buses 360, 318, 714, or 698 to the Beijing Botanical Garden Station and walk 200 meters north.
By Car or Taxi:
From the 5 Huanlu (5th Ring Rd): Take the Xiangshan exit, go through the Xiangquan Huandao, and head toward Xiangshan for about 300 meters.
From the 4 Huanlu (4th Ring Rd): Take the Xiangshan exit and drive toward Xiangshan for about 10 minutes.
From the 3 Huanlu(3rd Ring Rd): Take the Suzhouqiao exit, head north onto Wanquanhe Expressway, and enter the Bei 5 Huanlu (North 5th Ring Rd) from the northern entrance.
From Beijing Capital Airport: Take a taxi via the airport expressway and head west on the Bei 5 Huanlu (North 5th Ring Rd) for about 20 minutes.
5. Fahai Temple
Fahai Temple is located on the southern foothills of Cuiwei Mountain in the Moshikouof Shijingshan District. It was first established in the fourth year of the Zhengtong period of the Ming Dynasty and took nearly five years to complete, finally being finished in the eighth year of Zhengtong. The original temple was vast, and it underwent multiple renovations during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The temple covers an area of 20,000 square meters and features several key structures, including the Daxiong Hall, the Sangharama Hall, the Tianwang Hall, the Dharma Protecting Vajra Hall, the Medicine Buddha Hall, the Buddha Meditation Stage, the Bell and Drum Tower, the Sutra Repository, and the Yun Hall.
It is said that during the construction of Fahai Temple, Li Tong, a trusted eunuch of Emperor Yingzong of the Ming Dynasty, had a dream in which an immortal guided him to a heavenly site at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain in the western suburbs of Beijing, deemed ideal for a sacred Buddhist temple. Following the dream, Li Tong led palace attendants to search for the location and discovered an auspicious site east of Longquan Temple, nestled at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain. After seeking Emperor Yingzong's approval, the construction of Fahai Temple began. Upon its completion, Emperor Yingzong personally inscribed the temple's name as "Imperially Commissioned Fahai Temple."
Address: No. 48 Moshikou, Shijingshan, Beijing
Transport: Take bus 336 from Fuchengmen, alight at Shougang Community, and walk 15 minutes to the temple.
6. Heping Temple
Heping Temple, a key protected cultural relic unit of Beijing, is located in Huata Village, Nankou Town, Changping District, Beijing. As one of the centers for Buddhist activities in northern Beijing, it has been highly regarded by successive feudal dynasties and underwent multiple renovations. Artifacts from its Qing Dynasty reconstruction, such as a bell and stone stele, still remain. According to the Records of Old Stories, "Heping Temple on Huata Mountain was built during the Tang Dynasty." It was supervised by Tang Dynasty official Yuchi Gong and named from the inscription "Imperially Commissioned Heping Temple," written personally by Emperor Taizong of Tang. The saying, "Heping Temple came before Tanzhe Temple," attests to its deep historical roots. Built into the hollow of Longwei Mountain within the Longfeng Mountain range of the Yan Mountains, the temple makes clever use of the natural landscape, blending seamlessly with the environment and presenting stunning scenery.
The temple is located in Huata Village, which has a beautiful forested environment, with green mountains to the back and the Jingbei Prairie in front. The climate is pleasant throughout the four seasons, with abundant fruit and grain. Inside the temple, the atmosphere is tranquil, with birds singing and flowers blooming in spring, and green trees providing shade in summer. Within the temple gate stands a 1,300-year-old ancient pagoda treewith lush branches and a trunk circumference of more than three meters. It is a first-class protected ancient tree in Beijing. In front of the main hall, there are two large and flourishing ginkgo trees, one male and one female. The male tree, located to the west, stands about 30 meters tall, with a trunk circumference that three people can encircle. The female tree, located to the east, is about 20 meters tall and laden with abundant fruit. At the base of the main hall steps, in the middle of the guest hall, there is a white-barked pine over 30 meters tall, with a trunk circumference that requires two people to embrace. Slightly tilted, it resembles a reclining dragon, and both its species and form are extremely precious.
Address: Longfeng Mountain, Huata Village, Nankou Town, Changping, Beijing
Transport: Take the Xijiao Line of the subway and get off at the Botanical Garden Station.
