Tanzhe Temple (Ancient Architecture, Qing Dynasty)
Xiuyun Chan Temple, commonly known as Tanzhe Temple, is located on the hillside of Tanzhe Mountain in Mentougou District, Beijing, China. Built during the Western Jin Dynasty (265-316), it was originally called Jiafu Temple and is the oldest temple in Beijing. There is a folk saying, "Tanzhe Temple existed before Beijing City" (or "Tanzhe existed before Youzhou"). On October 28, 1957, Tanzhe Temple was designated as one of the first municipal-level cultural relics protection sites by the Beijing Municipal Government. In 2001, it was listed as a National Key Cultural Relic by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.
Tanzhe Temple was initially built in 307 CE (the first year of Yongjia during Emperor Huai's reign of Western Jin Dynasty) and was named Jiafu Temple. During Wu Zetian's Wansui Tongtian period (696-697), Master Huayan rebuilt the temple around the ruins of Jiafu Temple and renamed it "Longquan Temple."
Emperor Xizong of the Jin Dynasty, Wanyan Dan, visited Tanzhe Temple to worship Buddha in 1141 (the first year of Huangtong) and allocated funds for its renovation and expansion. He renamed it "Da Wanshou Temple" and became the first emperor to worship at Tanzhe Temple.
In 1692 (31st year of Kangxi), Emperor Kangxi allocated funds to renovate Tanzhe Temple. In 1697 (36th year of Kangxi), he officially named it "Imperial Xiuyun Chan Temple," making it the largest imperial temple in the Beijing area. Although the temple's name changed throughout history, the common name "Tanzhe Temple" persisted, derived from the dragon pool (tan) behind the temple and the cudrania trees (zhe) on the mountain.
Since the Jin Dynasty, emperors from every dynasty came to worship here. Especially after the Ming Dynasty, Tanzhe became a fixed location for Beijing residents' spring outings, with "watching Buddha snakes at Tanzhe in April" becoming a traditional folk custom. It is now the most popular temple in Beijing for worshippers.
Emperor Kangxi once composed a poem about Tanzhe Temple: "Emerald leaves just sprouting on jade-green branches, For days clear shadows fall upon the steps. Frost-defying integrity unseen by men, All day maintaining humility while awaiting the phoenix."
Tanzhe Temple is situated on the southern slope of Baozhu Peak, facing south. The temple grounds cover 0.025 square kilometers, with 1.12 square kilometers outside the temple. Including the surrounding forests and mountains under its jurisdiction, the total area exceeds 1.21 square kilometers.
The temple buildings follow the mountain's contours, higher in the north and lower in the south. The temple complex is divided into central, eastern, and western routes, and pagoda courtyards. The central route includes: Buddha Hall-Mountain Gate, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Mahavira Hall, and Vairochana Pavilion. East of the Mahavira Hall stands an ancient ginkgo tree (over 1,700 years old) known as the "Emperor's Tree," with its counterpart "Emperor's Consort Tree" on the west side. The central route also features pine trees, ficus religiosa trees, magnolia trees, and other precious flora. The rear hall is the Vairochana Pavilion, offering a panoramic view of the temple. The eastern route includes the temporary palace where Qing emperors rested during mountain visits, with the famous Liubei Pavilion featuring Emperor Qianlong's calligraphy "Yi Ting." The western route consists of scattered courtyards and temples, both square and round, with the Guanyin Hall at the highest point, featuring copper bells at its corners.
Mountain Gate: A three-bay beamless hall with xieshan roof and tubular tiles, featuring Emperor Kangxi's inscription "Imperial Xiuyun Chan Temple" below the eaves.
Hall of Heavenly Kings: Three bays wide with xieshan roof and green glazed tiles, displaying Emperor Kangxi's inscription "Hall of Heavenly Kings." Inside, it houses a Maitreya Buddha statue in the center, Skanda behind, and Four Heavenly Kings on the east and west sides.
Mahavira Hall: The highest-ranking hall in Tanzhe Temple, five bays wide with a double-eaved hip roof, yellow glazed tiles on the upper level and yellow glazed tiles with green edges on the lower level. The main ridge is topped with a pair of 2.9-meter glazed chi wei ornaments made in 1692, modeled after Yuan Dynasty style, the largest among Beijing's Buddhist temples. Golden chains called "gilded sword light bands" were bestowed by Emperor Kangxi and are unique to Tanzhe Temple. The hall houses a Sakyamuni Buddha statue in the center and Eighteen Arhats on the sides. Two side halls, the Qielan Hall and Patriarch Hall, flank the main hall, with bell and drum towers in the courtyard. The Three Saints Hall behind the Mahavira Hall only exists in foundation.
Vairochana Pavilion: The final hall on the central route, at the highest point of the temple, formerly used to store sutras. It is seven bays wide with xieshan roof and tubular tiles.
Guanyin Hall: Located in an independent courtyard behind the Vairochana Pavilion, it is the highest building in the temple, featuring Emperor Qianlong's inscription "Merciful Vessel of the Lotus Realm." The hall houses a Guanyin Bodhisattva statue flanked by the Dragon Girl and Sudhana. It also contains the "worship brick" of Princess Miaoyan, daughter of Kublai Khan.
Abbot's Quarter: Located south of the Sarira Pagoda and east of the Three Saints Hall of the Dining Hall. The Abbot's residence faces south, originally the Amitabha Hall, later converted into a five-room residence with hard mountain-style roof, 28 feet high, 35 feet deep, and 60 feet wide. It once displayed Emperor Kangxi's "Pine and Bamboo Serenity" and Emperor Qianlong's "Western Peak Joy Realm" inscriptions, which no longer exist.