From mid-October to early November each year, Beijing enters its prime season for viewing autumn foliage. Starting now, the city showcases its most stunning scenery of the year. Even the renowned writer Lao She marveled at Beijing's autumn, describing it as: "The autumn of Beiping is heaven." Indeed, when autumn arrives, Beijing transforms into Beiping—its skies are clear, its clouds pristine, and the gentle autumn breeze carries a slight chill. Missing the beauty of this season would truly be a shame.
Beijing offers many places for enjoying autumn leaves, basking in the city's charm, and discovering its connection to the poetic essence of autumn. So, where should you go? Among the many scenic spots, one stands out—not only for its golden ginkgo leaves carpeting the ground but also for its exquisitely carved stone sculptures. Even more impressively, this location boasts over 600 years of history.Naturally, you may wonder: where is this place in Beijing, and what makes its autumn scenery unique? Today, let's explore the wonders of the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum.
The Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum is located at No. 24, Wuta Temple Village, Baishi Bridge, Xizhimenwai jie(St), in Haidian. It is near the Beijing Zoo and the Purple Bamboo Park. The museum is built on the ruins of the Zhenjue Temple, originally constructed during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1403–1424). The museum consists of both indoor and outdoor exhibition areas.The entrance, marked by the museum's name, is just the beginning.
Inside, you'll find a range of meticulously carved stone artifacts, including stone lions and other sculptures, all part of the indoor exhibition area.The museum's collection goes far beyond the indoor exhibits. For instance, it houses the stone offering hall of Qing Dynasty Prince Xianyiyin Fushou's tomb. This stone carving, dating back to the Qing Dynasty, was unearthed in the 1970s from Suwang Tomb in Jiasong Village, Chaoyang District.
After admiring the stone offering hall indoors, visitors can explore the museum's outdoor exhibition area, which features more intricately carved stone artifacts. Nearby, there is also a pagoda with exquisite classical architectural beauty. As autumn arrives, the ginkgo trees surrounding the pagoda begin to turn golden, further enhancing its indescribable charm.
The pagoda, glimpsed earlier through the golden ginkgo trees, is known as the Vajrasana Pagoda. It is part of the Wuta Temple complex, which was built during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty and completed in 1473. This temple was constructed by Emperor Yongle as a dedication to the monk Bandida from the Western Regions. During the Qing Dynasty, it was renamed Zhenjue Temple to avoid using the personal name of Emperor Yongzheng.
Finally, let's take a closer look at the stone carvings and autumn scenery at the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum. For those living or working in Beijing and its surrounding areas, this museum is an excellent destination for a weekend or leisure outing. It's a place to experience the poetic beauty of autumn and to marvel at the cultural heritage embodied in the museum's stone carvings. If this unique destination piques your interest, make a note of it now. Plan a visit when you have time, whether with a partner, friends, or family, and immerse yourself in the visual feast and emotional resonance offered by the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum.
