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Wuta Temple is located outside Xizhimen in Haidian District, Beijing. It was first built in the 9th year of Chenghua in Ming Dynasty (1473) and was named Zhenjue Temple. It was renovated in the 26th year of Qianlong (1761) and renamed Dazhengjue Temple to avoid taboos. Because there is a pagoda in the temple, it is commonly known as Wuta Temple.
Attraction Location: Haidian District, Beijing (北京市海淀区), inside the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum (北京石刻艺术博物馆)
History: The Five Pagoda Temple, officially named the "Temple of the Great Righteous Awakening" (真觉寺), was built during the Ming Dynasty in 1473 under Emperor Chenghua’s reign. The temple follows the Indian Mahabodhi style, introduced to China during the Yuan and Ming dynasties.
Architecture: The temple’s highlight is the "Diamond Throne Pagoda" (金刚宝座塔), a rare architectural style influenced by Indian Buddhism. It features a square pedestal with intricate stone carvings, five small pagodas on top, and over 1,000 relief Buddhas carved into the surfaces. The stone carvings include Buddhist scriptures, animals, and astronomical diagrams such as the "Diamond Sutra" and the "Astronomical Chart."
Cultural Value: It represents the fusion of Chinese and Indian Buddhist art and is one of only a few Diamond Throne Pagodas in China. Today, it houses the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum, with collections of steles, statues, and stone inscriptions from various dynasties.
Other Information: The temple complex is relatively small but full of exquisite details, making it a hidden gem for lovers of history, architecture, and art.
Opening Hours: 09:00–17:00 (closed on Mondays, except national holidays)
Ticket Price: Adult: ¥20
Students/Elders: ¥10
Children under 1.2m: Free
Best Photo Spots: The front view of the Five Pagoda Temple (五塔寺塔正面), close-up shots of the astronomical chart carving, and the side reliefs of lions and elephants.
Time Reference: About 1–2 hours is enough to explore the temple and museum.
Other Information: Guided tours are available; photography is allowed but avoid flash in the museum galleries.
The Five Pagodas Temple, formerly known as the "Zhenjue Temple", is a few minutes away from the National Library of China. It was founded during the Yongle period of the Ming Dynasty. There are five small stone pagodas on the high stone platform in the temple. The Vajra Throne Pagoda of the Five Pagodas Temple is a Buddhist pagoda in the form of the Buddha Gaya Vihara in India (a memorial pagoda built at the Gaya Mountain Temple where Sakyamuni attained enlightenment). It can be regarded as a representative work of Ming Dynasty architecture and stone carving art.
In front of the tower there are two ginkgo trees of the same age as the tower. They are lush and green, and full of fruits. When the autumn wind blows, the ground turns golden.
The Vajra Throne Pagoda of Zhenjue Temple - Wuta Temple was originally named "Zhenjue Temple". It is located on the north bank of the Changhe River east of Baishiqiao outside Xizhimen in Haidian District, Beijing, and exits from Exit C of Metro Line 9.
I used to live nearby and often visited Wuta Temple. The environment was particularly good, with cultural relics and a quaint atmosphere. I often sat in the yard for a long time.
This is my first time here after the renovation. Although there may be significantly more cultural relics, the atmosphere feels not as good as before, and it feels a bit cluttered.
The museum is pretty good. I learned a lot about interesting stone carvings in Beijing. Next time I have some free time on the weekend, I can go around Beijing to look for those living stone carvings.
Check in at a less popular place that even Beijing natives visit for the first time. #Zhenhuan held three parties here, and there were autographs of Fucha Fuheng
Wuta Temple in early summer. It is just beautiful. There are few people, so it is a good place to walk around and take photos in your spare time.
Wuta Temple is located about one kilometer east of the National Library, across a river from the north gate of the zoo. It was originally Zhenjue Temple, later renamed Zhengjue Temple, commonly known as Wuta Temple, and was built during the Chenghua period of the Ming Dynasty. Wuta Temple is also a stone sculpture museum, which is worth seeing.
I didn't expect there is such a beautiful place with few people in the city. The beauty of autumn is too short, and there are only a few days a year that are the golden viewing period.
During the ginkgo season, I saw the most beautiful Wuta Temple.
It is free on Wednesdays, there are few people, and there are volunteers to give free explanations. It is mainly composed of the Vajra throne of the five towers, various stone tablets around, and the exhibition hall. Each part is very substantial. If there is an explanation, it will definitely be fruitful!
It's just beautiful. There is no other adjective. I'm at a loss for words.
feichanghaoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
Parking is convenient, the autumn colors are tranquil, autumn in the ancient capital.
It is a bit bleak at ordinary times, but it is a very beautiful place in November when the ginkgo trees turn golden.
Wuta Temple is now the site of the Stone Carving Museum, which houses many stone tablets and stone carvings collected from various places. In early November every year, the two tall ginkgo trees in the temple are a must-see for many photography enthusiasts.
I happened to see this recommended by a friend on Douban, it’s really awesome! The most beautiful season! The key is that I met a super awesome volunteer, you can tell he has a passion for stone carvings during his explanation, he told us not to just look at the stones but to listen to the stories they tell.
I happened to see this recommended by a friend on Douban, it’s really awesome! The most beautiful season! The key is that I met a super awesome volunteer, you can tell he has a passion for stone carvings during his explanation, he told us not to just look at the stones but to listen to the stories they tell.
The explanation given by a middle-aged male tour guide was superb. The place is a bit small and you will finish the tour quickly if you don't listen to the explanation.
The Vajra Throne Pagoda is very distinctive, whether it is the five towers on the top or the various stone carvings on the throne below. The one in Zhenjue Temple is the earliest one of its kind in China. It was built by Indian monks who came to pay homage to the emperor of the Ming Dynasty and took the drawings of this style of pagoda from India. There is also another one in the Biyun Temple in Xiangshan, Beijing, which is slightly different in shape from the one in Zhenjue Temple.
Legend has it that the small glazed roof on the front was forcibly added by Emperor Qianlong, who continued his style of "destroying" national treasures. The only drawback is that the two ginkgo trees on the front are too tall... There are also many trees and stone tablets and stone carvings on the back and sides. It is almost impossible to find an open angle to fully appreciate the tower body. There are always various places blocked. You can walk under the tower and see some small exhibitions about the tower itself.
In addition to the Vajra Throne Pagoda, this precious place also collects and displays many stone tablets and stone carvings collected from around Beijing - so this place is also called the "Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum" - and these stone tablets and stone carvings are organized in an orderly manner according to different themes (actually, they were used in those days). The special ones here are a royal hall in the early Qing Dynasty and many tombstones of Qing Dynasty missionaries. In addition to these stone tablets and stone carvings displayed in the open air, there are two exhibition halls in the small building behind the courtyard, which also have some clear main displays. Overall, it is very good.
When I came on Sunday, I met a volunteer who was giving a voluntary lecture. He spoke for almost an hour and 40 minutes and was very dedicated.
Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum, near the zoo, has a rich collection and is a pleasant surprise if you go there in autumn.
It's like a miracle hidden in the city.
Now it is the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum. It is opposite the north gate of the zoo. It is the site of the former royal Dazhengjue Temple. It is named after the preserved Vajra Throne Pagoda. The pagoda base can be visited. There is a small exhibition about the archaeological excavation of the Vajra Throne Pagoda, but taking pictures inside is prohibited. There are also the base ruins of the Main Hall in front of the pagoda. Various ancient stone carvings, stone tablets, tomb statues, stone statues, etc. are distributed in the courtyard according to the area. The first floor of the rear building is also an exhibition hall, with more exquisite stone carving art exhibitions. Various stone carvings are also placed under the eaves. There are not many visitors. The environment is very good and quiet. It is very suitable for a quiet visit and relaxation.
Wuta Temple (free tickets available on Wednesdays, 20 yuan on normal days. I went there last time on a Wednesday when I was off work. It's a quiet place.) Also known as Zhenjue Temple, it's right outside the Beijing Zoo or from the National Library Station on Metro Line 4 or 9. Walk along Wuta Temple Road along the river until you see the sign on your left. The biggest feature of Wuta Temple is the various stone carvings and steles. There are audio guides in the exhibition hall. Those who are interested in stone carving can go there to learn about stone carvings from ancient times to the present.
Thousand-year-old ginkgo tree. Very beautiful and quiet. Not bad.
The Five Pagodas Temple was founded during the Yongle reign of the Ming Dynasty (1403-1424). It was completed in the ninth year of the Chenghua reign of the Ming Dynasty (1473). It was originally named Zhenjue Temple and later renamed Dazhengjue Temple. It was called the Five Pagodas Temple because of the Vajra Throne Pagoda in the temple. The Vajra Throne Pagoda is Indian in shape, but its structure clearly reflects the unique Chinese architectural style. When the Eight-Power Allied Forces invaded China, the temple was completely destroyed, but the pagoda survived.
Wuta Temple, also known as the Ancient Stone Carving Museum, is opposite the north gate of the zoo. Take the subway to the National Library and walk along the river for a while.
The Five Pagoda Temple has a peculiarly constructed pagoda in the middle of the courtyard. It is one of the first batch of buildings shortlisted for national key cultural relics protection units, along with the Forbidden City and the Summer Palace.
The sides of the tower are full of Buddha statues. It is well preserved. There are two ancient ginkgo trees in front of the tower.
I have seen a similar tower in Hohhot before, and it seems bigger than that one. After all, it is in Beijing. It is a pity that you cannot go up to the top of the tower. This one is a little worse than the Five Pagodas Temple in Hohhot. There are some display boards arranged around the corridor on the first floor, and there are four Buddha statues and some unearthed cultural relics related to the Five Pagodas Temple on display on the four sides.
In addition to the tower, this is indeed a wonderful museum. It collects many stone tablets and stone carvings near Beijing. It is divided into seven or eight areas according to the different themes of the stone carvings. There are so many beautiful stone carvings. When I walked around, I didn't know which one was the highlight. The ones that impressed me most were the ones sponsored and restored by the United States in 2014. They are really big and beautiful. There are also stone screens and stone houses exhibited in the corridors on both sides. They are all very beautiful.
I went there on a free open day on a Wednesday in mid-January. There weren't many people, and most of them were elderly. The yard is not big, with some exhibitions. It's quiet and peaceful. When the wind blows, the sound of the bells on the eaves seems to invite you back to the dream of hundreds of years ago. The location is also very good. Just walk along the riverside from the subway National Library Station Exit C, and you'll be right opposite the back door of the zoo.
It's just a small courtyard. In addition to the Vajra Throne Pagoda, there are many other stone sculptures to see. You can learn some knowledge about ancient my country and stone sculpture art. Interested friends can go and have a look. If you look carefully, you can spend half a day. It may be more beautiful on snowy days or when the ginkgo leaves turn yellow. Remember that it's free on Wednesdays.
Now it is the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum, which houses some stone carvings and stone tablets unearthed during the development of Beijing.
The Five Pagodas Temple is commonly called by people. Its official name is Zhenjue Temple. In the early years of Yongle, the Indian monk Bandi presented five golden Buddha statues and the Vajra throne to Emperor Chengzu of the Ming Dynasty. Emperor Chengzu built this temple for him during the Yongle period (1403-1424). Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty rebuilt the Five Pagodas Temple twice to celebrate his mother's birthday. That was the heyday of the Five Pagodas Temple, with more than 200 buildings of various sizes. The temple was destroyed by a fire in the late Qing Dynasty. It was privately owned during the Republic of China, and it is said that it was basically demolished during that period. It was later taken back by the government.
The tower built of bricks and bluestone is in the form of a Vajra throne, with five towers on top of the throne, representing the five Buddhas. There are more than ten such towers in China, including the Vajra Tower of Biyun Temple, the Pure City Tower of Xihuang Temple, the Lanruo Tower of Miaokan Temple in Yunnan, and the Vajra Relic Tower of Ci Deng Temple in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. The towers I have seen include the Biyun Temple Tower in Xiangshan and the Guangde Temple Tower near Longzhong in Xiangyang, Hubei a few years ago. However, the one in the Five Pagodas Temple is older and has the most beautiful style. It was the first batch of national protection in 1961, which shows how precious it is.
The lower throne is 7.70 meters high, 18.60 meters long from north to south, and 15.73 meters wide from east to west, and is built on a 50-meter-high platform.
There are many people at the red gate under the tower. You can enter the tower from there. Inside is the history of the tower. When I came here in the 1980s, I could go up to the top of the tower from the stone stairs on both sides of the gate, but now it is no longer possible. I can no longer see the tower from a close distance.
You can see that the pagoda is surrounded by niches, each with a seated Buddha. There are 1,561 such Buddha statues in the whole pagoda, called the Thousand Faces and One Image. They are all the same, but the handprints of each Buddha are different, and the decorations around them are also different. They are very exquisite, which shows how much effort was put into it at that time. Some newly carved Buddha statues today cannot compare with them.
Wuta Temple is located to the east of Baishiqiao, beside the Changhe River, and together with the Beijing Stone Carving Art Museum. If you want to go there, take Metro Line 9 or Line 4, get off at Beitu Station, walk south to the Changhe River, don't cross the river, walk a few hundred meters east along the north side of the river to the destination, and the back door of the zoo is across the river. You can also visit the zoo first, go out the back door at the northwest corner of the zoo, and cross the river to get there.
Tickets to Wuta Temple are 20 yuan, and the first 200 people on Wednesday are free. It says that people over 65 years old are free, but I went there two days ago and people over 60 years old didn't ask for tickets. Generally, it takes 1-2 hours to play. You can go to the zoo and Zizhuyuan together.