Beijing | A Quiet but Magnificent Imperial Temple

Just a few hundred meters east of the White Pagoda Temple along Fuchengmen Inner Street is the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Having visited the Forbidden City and the Imperial Shrine several times, I was still amazed by this temple's magnificence and tranquility.

The main building is the Jingde Chongsheng Hall, with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof covered in yellow glazed tiles and adorned with He Xi Cai paintings. Four stele pavilions from the Qing Dynasty stand on either side. The layers of yellow glazed tiles create a visually stunning and photogenic scene.

It's rare for the main hall to be without railings, allowing visitors to step directly inside and experience its grandeur. Inside, tablets dedicated to emperors throughout history are displayed, showcasing the unbroken lineage of Chinese rulers.

The main hall enshrines emperors, while the east and west side halls enshrine worthy ministers and famous generals. Uniquely, the Guan Di Temple, a "temple within a temple" in the corner, is dedicated solely to Guan Yu.

Don't miss the sacrificial vessel warehouse behind the Jingde Chongsheng Hall. Explore the special exhibition "Looking Back • Choice: Ming and Qing Emperors and the Imperial Ancestral Temple."

🎞️｜Imperial Ancestral Temple
📍｜No. 131, Fuchengmen Inner Street, Xicheng District, Beijing
⏰｜9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays
🎫｜20
🚇｜Line 2 Fuchengmen Station or Line 4 Xisi Station

Post by JAYDA HOUSTON | Mar 21, 2025