The Best Temples in Beijing
The hassle of the holidays often leaves tourists worn out with early morning starts and a full day run-around. For those seeking some peace and serenity Beijing offers this and much more at its numerous and diverse Taoist and Buddhist temples. Here are our favorites:
1. The Temple of Heaven
Popularized in fiction and film, The Temple of Heaven more than lives up to its name. Emperors have visited the complex for over 600 years to pray to the Gods for good harvest and now sprawls of tourists come here every year to wander around the different halls and enjoy the extensive and varied park. The prayer hall for good harvest is situated in the centre of the park and is beautifully and intricately designed and decorated both inside and out. The hall is covered in blue tiles and is created in perfect symmetry, said to symbolize the Heavens.
Beyond the temple itself, tourists can enjoy kite flying, tai chi and musical performances. Visitors around Spring festival should check the dates of the annual culture week hosted here that promotes Chinese culture and ancient music.
2. Lama Temple
The Lama Temple is one of Beijing’s most famous temples (second only to The Temple of Heaven) and is high on the list of sites that of most visitors want to see. If you are in the right area, you cannot miss the Lama Temple. Anyone on a street nearby can smell the burning incense and hear the bustle of worship coming from inside.
Tourists enter through a tree lined walkway and then weave their way through a multitude of small halls. The Buddhas inside the halls get gradually larger until tourists reach the edge of the temple and the grand hall that houses the reason why people make return visits to the Lama temple, a magnificent wooden Lama statue carved from a single sandalwood tree. The roofs are painted in a golden color which shows the importance of the temple during imperial times. Tourists can buy incense to offer at the different halls and can watch the Lamas that live in the temple going about their daily routine.
3. Tanzhe Temple
The oldest and largest temple in Beijing, the Tanzhe Temple is believed to be older than the city of Beijing itself. Located in the dramatic hills surrounding the city this temple is definitely worth a visit if you are looking to escape the crowds for the day. The area around Tanzhe Temple is as stunning as the temple itself, filled with ancient “Zhe” trees and houses the famous Dragon Lake.
The temple complex itself is on several different levels with each hall dedicated to a different deity. This is worship on a massive scale and the intricate design in the buildings makes the area both intriguing and mysterious.
4. White Cloud Taoist Temple
One of the oldest and largest Taoist temples in all of China, the White Cloud Taoist Temple is situated in the Xicheng district of Beijing and is home to the Chinese Taoist association. The temple is a maze of shrines and courtyards that are tended to by around 30 true and devout resident monks. The White Cloud temple was originally constructed during the Tang dynasty but has been renovated multiple times.
This government protected and internationally revered temple welcomes guest both devout and secular. This temple is particularly note worthy for the temple fair held here over Spring festival but its beautiful Taoist style makes it worth a visit at any time of year.
5. The Temple of the Sun
The five-hundred-year-old Temple of the Sun is known as Ritan park to the locals and has been open to the public for fifty years. Half temple and half park, it offers the best of both worlds. The park was originally created as a sight of worship to the sun Gods and tourists can still visit the Holy Warehouse and Holy Kitchen which sit juxtaposed across the scenic Yuxin Garden.
Tourists can traverse the winding pavilions and arch bridges that intertwine round the 4,700-square-meter lake and the lively park is also a great place for people watching; the locals congregate here for activities that range from singing and dancing to table tennis and pond fishing.
6. Jietai Temple
A semi-distant twenty five kilometers outside the center of the city, nestled tightly within the mist of the Ma’an Mountains to the West of the city lies the hidden gem of the Beijing temple scene, Jietai Temple. This temple is only 8km from Tanzhe temple and so tourists can make a nice day out of visiting both temples. You can either have a ride most of the way up or enjoy the hike up the mountainside by foot - take in the vast surrounding vistas and then experience the temple itself.
The temple features delicate carvings and visitors can worship at the beautiful marble alter. Moreover, this temples crowning glory are the ancient trees that can be found in the courtyards. 3 grand, bronze Buddhas sit among huge pines trees and it is said that the trees here have inspired many famous songs.
7. Fahai Temple
Although it is not in the center of the city, Fahai Temple is conveniently located by the Pingguoyuan Subway Station. Fahai Temple lures visitors with a combination of history and culture. Built in 1439 the temple offers numerous historical artifacts and statues still intact and well preserved.
The main draw for visitors are the Ming dynasty murals painted by the temple's former artisans. Some of these paintings are nearly 500 years old and they are still painted using the originally intended colors.This makes it an exception among Beijing's temples.