Baipu Temple in Western Beijing: An Ancient Temple Hidden in the Deep Mountains, Zen Spirit Refreshes the Heart

Strolling through the ancient temple, the Mountain God Temple reveals its spiritual charm. Driving along the winding mountain roads of Mentougou in western Beijing, you suddenly encounter the Mountain God Temple with its upturned eaves. The Bodhisattva’s compassionate, lowered gaze instantly calms the heart. This millennium-old temple, originally built during the Liao Dynasty, is named after its location—backed by Baipu Mountain and facing Longtan. The Song Dynasty stone lions at the mountain gate still guard this sacred land today.

🌊 Encounter the “Water-Reversing Guanyin” in the Mahavira Hall
Stepping into the heart of Baipu Temple—the Mahavira Hall—the most striking sight is the rare “Water-Reversing Guanyin” statue. Legend has it that during the Ming Dynasty’s Wanli period, a sudden mountain flood occurred inside the temple, but this Guanyin statue miraculously reversed the flow and returned to the hall, after which the temple’s incense offerings flourished. Looking up at the Ming Dynasty caisson ceiling, you’ll find micro-carved scriptures from the Avatamsaka Sutra hidden within the nine-layer lotus design, showcasing the exquisite craftsmanship of ancient artisans.

🌺 Realize Reincarnation in the Wansheng Garden
Turning into the thousand-acre Wansheng Garden beside the temple, daisies in May form a snowy white carpet, and in autumn, ginkgo leaves fall like golden robes. The most fascinating feature is the “Reincarnation Tree,” whose trunk naturally twists into a Taiji (Yin-Yang) pattern, reflecting the Zen philosophy of “one flower, one world.” Locals often say, “Meditating under this tree for a moment is cooler than drinking three bowls of mung bean soup.”

📿 Practical Zen Practice Guide
Address: Yuchi Town, Yubai Village, Mentougou District (navigate to “Baipu Temple”)
Opening Hours: Summer 8:00 AM–6:00 PM | Winter 8:30 AM–5:30 PM
Must-Experience: Listen to the 108 morning bell strikes at dawn, watch the monks’ purification ceremony in the afternoon
Tip: The temple’s vegetarian meal featuring elm seed rice balls is a specialty—remember to book in advance

As you leave and look back at the mountain gate, you suddenly realize the bells on the flying eaves harmonize with the wind’s sound. The word “temple” itself is a combination of “poetry” and “distance.”

Post by WanderlustWarrior++ | Oct 19, 2025