The oldest temple in Beijing: "A Fayuan Temple represents half of Chinese history". Beijing｜"A Fayuan Temple is half of Chinese history", the oldest temple in Beijing

Location: Fayuan Temple
🚇Transportation: Metro Line 19, Niujie Station, Exit C, walk out Tickets: No reservation required🆓Entry
🕐Opening hours: Monday to Sunday 9:00-16:00
Fayuan Temple was first built in the 19th year of Emperor Taizong of Tang Dynasty to commemorate the patriotic soldiers who died in battle. It is one of the oldest famous temples in Beijing. Over the past 1,400 years, Fayuan Temple has experienced countless ups and downs and witnessed many historical events. As the saying goes, "One Fayuan Temple represents half of Chinese history."
In the course of history, it has been renamed several times, and finally Emperor Yongzheng named it Fayuan Temple. In the 43rd year of Emperor Qianlong's reign, Fayuan Temple was renovated, and in the 45th year, Emperor Qianlong personally came to bestow a plaque with the imperial calligraphy "Fahai Zhenyuan". The Fayuan Temple is large in scale and rigorous in structure. It adopts a central axis symmetrical layout, faces south and is divided into three roads: central, east and west. From south to north, the central road has the One-character Screen Wall, Mountain Gate, Bell and Drum Tower, Heavenly King Hall, Main Hall, Guanyin Hall, Vairocana Hall, Great Compassion Hall, and Sutra Library. All of them are ancient buildings from the Qing Dynasty and are now the Chinese Buddhist Academy.
Must-see TOP: Three incense sticks are free for you to burn and pray at the entrance. Two imperially bestowed steles, "Monument to the Reconstruction of Chongfu Temple" and "Monument to the Reconstruction of Minzhong Temple". A plaque inscribed with "Fahai Zhenyuan" by Emperor Qianlong himself. A large white marble stone sea in front of the Vairocana Hall. A Ming Dynasty bronze statue of the "Five Buddhas" with Vairocana as the main Buddha in the Vairocana Hall (to make good connections, you can take candies 🍬 in front of the hall). The courtyard's ritual instrument - a wooden fish. A cute and spiritual cat 🐈. I always feel that the temple gives people a feeling of peace and tranquility, as if it is away from the hustle and bustle and returns to the heart. Watch quietly, appreciate quietly, and you will always gain spiritual nourishment and strength from it.

Post by 广安稻香村bfy | Feb 12, 2025