A lesser-known temple adjacent to the Forbidden City, a quiet spot perfect for enjoying the beauty of flowers

Pudu Temple is a key national cultural heritage site. Its original location was the Southern Palace, where the 'Seizure of the Gate' incident occurred during the Ming Dynasty. It was once the place where Ming Emperor Yingzong, Zhu Qizhen, was imprisoned. The Southern Palace was destroyed by Li Zicheng's peasant army during the reign of Emperor Chongzhen, and was rebuilt as the residence of the regent Dorgon during the Shunzhi era. Emperor Kangxi later converted it into the 'Mahakala Temple,' and Emperor Qianlong bestowed the name 'Pudu Temple.' After more than 300 years of history, it has now become a historical site. Currently, the 'Mountain Gate' and the 'Main Hall' remain. It's a quiet and nice place with few visitors. 🎈Address: 100 meters east of the intersection of Nanchizi Street and Pudu Temple Front Alley in Dongcheng District 🚪Admission: Free 🚗Transportation: Exit B of Tiananmen East Station on Subway Line 1, 930 meters by foot; Exit C of Jinyu Hutong Station on Subway Line 8, over 10 minutes by foot 📷Check-in: Pudu Temple is renowned for its magnolia flowers. There is a row of magnolia trees on each side of the Main Hall. On the left side, there is a yellow magnolia tree, and on the right side, a purple one, while the others are all white. The end of March and the beginning of April is the peak blooming season, and the blossoming flowers set against the tall palace are very beautiful. 👍Use the Main Hall or the intricate brackets as a background for a strong sense of depth and a great atmosphere. 👍For portrait photography, people can stand on the platform under the magnolia trees or in front of the railing of the Main Hall. 👍Try to choose a day with good weather for clearer photos ⏰Opening Hours: The blooming period is from the end of March to the beginning of April, open from 6:00 to 20:00