[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Yunju Temple (Updated Aug)

Beijing Yunju Temple was built in 1023 AD and was named during the Xuanhe period of the Northern Song Dynasty (1119-1125). It has a history of a thousand years. Yunju Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist temple, which is planned and laid out mainly in accordance with the architectural style of Tibetan Buddhist temples. The temple preserves a large number of Buddhist cultural and artistic treasures, the most famous of which are the three major pagodas in the temple. These three pagodas are the Buddha Relic Pagoda, the Sakya Pagoda and the Manjusri Pagoda, which are among the treasures among Chinese Buddhist pagodas. #Mainland China Attractions

20250503 Time Etched in Stone, Buddha's Shadow on Paper Yunju Temple, founded during the transition from Sui to Tang Dynasty, originally featured a mountain gate with "Three Liberation Gates" following Buddhist tradition—the Gate of Emptiness, Gate of Formlessness, and Gate of Non-Action. For modern conservation and visitor management, only the central Gate of Emptiness remained open until Labor Day 2025, when all three gates were simultaneously opened for the first time, restoring the temple's complete Tang-era architectural form. Unlike most south-facing temples, Yunju Temple uniquely faces east with its mountain gate integrated into the Heavenly King Hall—a rare architectural design. The temple's name plaque bears calligraphy by Zhao Puchu. Afternoons at Yunju Temple resonate with pine whispers, where the "Gems of Yunju" cultural exhibition unfolds millennia of heritage in tranquil silence. The dragon-engraved wooden sutra plates in display cases still seem to carry the warmth of craftsmen's hands. The replica memorial of the "Yang Naiwu and Little Cabbage" case from the Qing Dynasty glows with amber-hued pages, its delicate calligraphy strokes resembling orchid leaves swaying in wind, the ink's fragrance seemingly drifting from moonlight centuries past. Before leaving, visit the cultural market—where white marble carvings and intangible heritage crafts await. These "gems" aren't mere antiques, but stones that chant sutras, papers that remember storms, and cracks that mirror time—revealing how ancestors fought oblivion with faith, and how we, through contemplation, gently clasp hands with souls across a thousand years.

**【 Yunju Temple, hidden in the clouds of Fangshan, is a Buddhist holy place in the west of Beijing. It was built in the Sui and Tang Dynasties and has survived thousands of years. The temple houses the "Stone Scripture Great Wall" - more than 130,000 stone slabs with sutras, which are Buddhist treasures engraved by the ancients with a knife and a chisel, and can be called a world cultural wonder. Strolling through the ancient temple, the Tang pagoda stands tall, the ancient cypresses are majestic, and the sound of bells is lingering, as if traveling through time and space. The most shocking thing is the "Leiyin Cave" deep in the underground palace. The walls are inlaid with stone scriptures, and the inscribed regular script is vigorous and still clearly discernible after thousands of years. Legend has it that the Buddha's light vision appeared here, adding to the mystery. The stone path outside the temple is winding. Climbing up and looking far away, the mountains are green, as if it is a paradise. If you want to explore the ancient, Yunju Temple must be visited! Every brick and tile has a story, and every scripture and stone is full of emotions. Wait for you to experience this Zen and shock that spans thousands of years!

20250503 Between the Southern Pagoda and Northern Temple, Stealing a Half-Day's Leisure at Yunju Temple During the May Day holiday, I took a self-drive trip to Yunju Temple in Fangshan. The Southern Pagoda was originally built in 1117 during the Liao Dynasty by monk Shao Tan, standing as an eleven-tiered octagonal brick pagoda at 30 meters tall, also known as the Sakyamuni Buddha Relic Pagoda or Arhat Pagoda. Destroyed by Japanese artillery fire in 1942, only its octagonal base remained until its reconstruction in the new century. Architectural Features: The rebuilt Southern Pagoda maintains its eleven-tiered octagonal design with brick and tile construction, facing the Northern Pagoda to recreate the Liao Dynasty's architectural essence. Below it lies a recently constructed underground stone sutra chamber housing over 10,000 Liao and Jin Dynasty stone sutras originally unearthed here. Above the chamber stands the original Liao-era "Yajing Pagoda," a unique sutra pillar-style stone pagoda in China. The Wangong Pagoda Courtyard, originally in Shuitou Village, was built to honor Master Jingwan, the founder of Yunju Temple. In 1592, Master Daguan Zhenke redeemed the courtyard with support from Empress Dowager Cisheng. - Architectural Remains: The centerpiece is the Wangong Pagoda, built in 1094 as Master Jingwan's relic pagoda. This six-meter-tall octagonal three-tiered stone pagoda features intricate carvings: a square Sumeru base supporting an octagonal body inscribed with "Founder Wangong's Pagoda," topped by three wooden-imitation stone eaves and a spire with lotus motifs, a hemispherical bowl, seven rings, and a jewel finial—a masterpiece of Liao craftsmanship. Also present is a 4.21-meter-tall 1592 stele recording the courtyard's history, with exquisite carvings of twin dragons playing with a pearl, lingzhi mushrooms, and waves.

Yunju Temple is located in Shutou Village, Shishiwo Town, Fangshan District, Beijing. Originally built during the late Sui and early Tang dynasties, it was destroyed by the invading Japanese army's artillery fire in 1942, leaving only a pair of stone lions and a solitary pagoda. It was rebuilt in the 1980s. Yunju Temple covers an area of about 74 mu. Its buildings are constructed along the mountain slope and are divided into three routes: south, middle, and north. The main halls are all concentrated along the central axis. The middle route has six halls, starting from the mountain gate: the Vairocana Hall, Sakyamuni Hall, Bhaisajyaguru Hall, Amitabha Hall, Avalokitesvara Hall, as well as the Sutra Repository and Dharma Hall. Each main hall has side halls and rooms on both sides. The main buildings on the south route are the Patriarch Hall and Ksitigarbha Hall. The north route has only one main building, the Thousand Buddha Hall, with the rest being imperial lodgings or temple rooms. There are three sets of imperial lodgings, each forming a self-contained courtyard-style building complex, with walkways connecting the various buildings within the courtyard. On March 4, 1961, the Pagoda and Stone Scriptures of Yunju Temple in Fangshan were announced by the State Council of the People's Republic of China as one of the first batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

✔ Pet-friendly. The Beijing-Kunming Expressway is rarely congested, so it takes just over an hour to get here from Beijing. ✔ Homestay name: Reindeer Bay Private Hot Spring Homestay. Address: Next to Yunju Temple, Fangshan District. Reference average price: One bedroom, one living room, one courtyard, 2 guests, around RMB 700 on weekdays and weekends. Here are the reasons why I recommend this homestay: ✔ Spring water: The private hot spring uses spring water, which was once favored by the French. The well is called the Western Well. The private hot spring is heated by solar energy, with high water temperature, high water pressure, and unlimited water use. ✔ Pet-friendly: No extra charge. ✔ Great design: The developer was once a designer of five-star hotels. Here you will see many unique designs. Yunju Temple + Stone Sutra Mountain: This is a very famous temple in Buddhist history, almost the last hope of Buddhism in China. Those interested can look it up. Old train: The village is close to the ancient single-track railway in western Beijing, which is still in operation. In the evening, you can see the K603 green train, and at other times, freight trains pass by and whistle when entering the tunnel. ✔ Natural wetlands: There are many natural wetlands around the village, with shallow water and rich flora and fauna. I personally think it is better than the noisy Shidu Scenic Area. ✔ Super quiet: Shuitou Village is a primitive village with a weak commercial atmosphere. It gets very quiet early in the evening. ✔ Housekeeping team: Reindeer Bay hopes to return to the original meaning of a homestay: staying at a friend's house. ✔ Facilities: Bathtub, hairdryer, shampoo, soap, hot shower, shower gel, washing machine, towels, sheets, soap, toilet paper, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, refrigerator, no TV. ✔ Nearby restaurants: About a 3-minute walk, there is a large farmhouse restaurant. About a 12-minute walk, there is a larger farmhouse restaurant. About a 10-minute drive, you can reach Zhangfang Town. ✔ Reindeer Bay Private Hot Spring Homestay, check it out.

| Fangshan District | Yunju Temple | Little Dunhuang in the West of Beijing. [Yunju Temple, Shuitou Village, Dashiwotown, Fangshan District, Beijing] Yunju Temple is located in Shuitou Village, Dashiwotown, Fangshan District, southwest of Beijing, 70 kilometers from the city center, covering an area of over 70,000 square meters. Yunju Temple, Shijing Mountain Sutra Cave, and Tang and Liao Pagoda Group constitute a treasure trove of Chinese Buddhist culture. Yunju Temple was built in the late Sui and early Tang dynasties, initially named "Zhiquan Temple", and later renamed "Yunju Temple". The temple covers an area of 0.07 square kilometers. After repairs in various dynasties, it has formed five courtyards and six halls. It was destroyed by Japanese artillery fire in the 1940s. After the liberation, it has undergone two large-scale repairs. 【🚙Transportation】 Yunju Temple is 70 kilometers away from the city. You can take the Jing-Shi Expressway to Jingzhou Road, drive about 8 kilometers towards Zhoukoudian, take the Jing-Kun Expressway, drive another 20 kilometers, get off at Yunju Temple Road, and drive about 6 kilometers to the destination. In addition, you can also choose to take a bus or drive there. The bus route is: take bus 917 from Liuliqiao East to Shiwo Station, transfer to bus F31 to Yunju Temple Station. 【💰Cost】 The ticket price for Yunju Temple is CNY 40. Elderly people over 60 can enjoy a half-price discount. 【👣Route】 Visitors can choose different routes to visit Yunju Temple, including visiting the five courtyards, six halls, and the brick and stone pagodas built in the Tang, Liao, and Ming dynasties in and around the temple. In addition, you can also take a cable car to Shijing Mountain to visit the Sutra Cave and Tang Pagoda. 【💡Tips】 1. The opening hours of Yunju Temple Scenic Area are 9:00-16:00 (open all year round). 2. There are many precious cultural relics and historical sites in Yunju Temple. Please comply with relevant regulations and do not use flash when taking photos.

🎆In the hustle and bustle of the busy city, we are always looking for a place to slow down and take a deep breath🌳. This week, I took my family to the Reindeer Bay Private Hot Spring Homestay🏡 in Mentougou, Beijing, a hidden courtyard that combines Thai tropical style with natural hot springs✨. . 🚗Driving along the winding mountain road, we arrived at this quiet place surrounded by tropical plants🌴 in 1.5 hours. As soon as we stepped into the homestay, we were attracted by the strong tropical style here😍. Tropical plants🎍 are everywhere, with well-designed wall decorations and lotus flowers in the yard, making people feel like they are in Chiang Mai. Every detail reveals the owner's care and love for the homestay💖. . The highlight of Reindeer Bay is its private hot spring♨️. The inconspicuous jar in the yard is actually the private hot spring. The water is very hot and comes out quickly, filling up in 20 minutes; under the night light✨, you can shed all your fatigue here, immerse yourself in this warm embrace, and feel completely relaxed😌. . The tropical plants in the homestay not only add a touch of vitality but also bring a unique exotic flavor to the accommodation experience🌺. Whether you are chatting over tea in the living room surrounded by tropical plants🍵, or swinging or strolling by the pond, you can find your own peaceful time🌸. . 🌈Homestay Name: Reindeer Bay Private Hot Spring Homestay 📍Location: Search for Reindeer Bay Private Hot Spring Homestay on Gaode, 320 meters from Yunju Temple. Room Types: There are 4-5 courtyards, each courtyard is independent, with its own small garden and private hot spring Available on Ctrip, 300 yuan per person . ✨Homestay Features: 🌴Thai tropical style, surrounded by tropical plants ♨️Private hot spring, enjoy the warmth of nature 🌸Each room has an independent small courtyard, several small courtyards are connected, suitable for couples and families traveling together 👨‍🦱The butler is very enthusiastic, it is a homestay with a human touch 🎈Nearby Attractions: Yunju Temple: A historic Buddhist holy place, feel the power of culture and faith🙏 Surrounding natural scenic spots: Suitable for hiking and adventure, experience the grandeur and beauty of nature🏞️ . Here, I found the long-lost tranquility and regained inner peace😇. Reindeer Bay Private Hot Spring Homestay is not just a travel destination, but also a home for the soul💖.

Everyone has their own story, and every tower has its own legend and era, If you have plans, search for ancient towers near your destination, Make a special trip or on the way to gaze at them, as beautiful and unparalleled, or as magnificent and majestic as the poems of Yan Shu or Su Shi, They have been passed by emperors, generals, princesses, and noble ladies, or by nameless soldiers and beauties, or by Liang Sicheng, Lin Huiyin... The tower has always been there, the tower remains unmoved; When the tower moves, your heart will move too... 💛Beijing💛 1️⃣✨Yunju Temple Yunju Temple North Tower, also known as Arhat Tower, Red Tower 📍Located in Yunju Temple, Fangshan District, Beijing; the base of the tower dates back to the Sui and Tang dynasties, while the body of the tower was rebuilt during the Liao dynasty 🩵Repaired during the Yuan and Ming dynasties into a Bell and Drum Tower style, the upper part is shaped like a bell, the middle part like a drum, and the lower part is in the style of a pavilion. ✅There is a Tang dynasty stone tower at each of the four corners, among which the stone tower at the northwest corner of the North Tower from the second year of Jingyun (711 AD) is the oldest tower in Beijing. 2️⃣✨Yunju Temple Yunju Temple South Tower, Sakyamuni Buddha's Relic Tower 📍Located in Yunju Temple, Fangshan District, Beijing; originally built during the Liao dynasty, destroyed by the artillery fire of the invading Japanese army 🩵An octagonal 11-story dense-eave style brick tower, rebuilt in 2014, is the first example of an ancient tower being rebuilt in China ✅Next to it is the Scripture Cave 3️⃣✨Lingguang Temple Lingguang Temple Buddha Tooth Relic Tower 📍Located in Lingguang Temple, Badachu Park, Shijingshan District, Beijing; built from the summer of 1958 to the spring of 1964 🩵Thirteen-story dense-eave style tower, with a white marble worship platform rising 2.7 meters above the ground ✅It has not been completely restored to the Liao dynasty's Zhaixian Tower, incorporating architectural elements from the mid-20th century 4️⃣✨Lingguang Temple Zhaixian Tower, also known as Lingguang Temple Buddha Tooth Relic Tower 📍Located in Lingguang Temple, Badachu Park, Shijingshan District, Beijing; built during the Liao dynasty 🩵An octagonal thirteen-story dense-eave style brick tower ✅Now only the original tower base remains 💛Tianjin💛 5️⃣✨Jizhou White Tower, also known as Guanyin White Tower 📍Located in Baita Temple, Jizhou District, Tianjin; originally built during the Liao dynasty 🩵The base is octagonal, with a dense-eave style at the bottom and a bowl-cover style on top ✅Previously, the color of the tower body was quite old, but on a recent visit, it was surprisingly painted with a brand new white color 6️⃣✨Panshan Scenic Spot Dingguang Buddha Relic Tower 📍Located at the top of the main peak of Panshan, Gua Yue Peak, Jizhou District, Tianjin; built during the Tang dynasty, repaired during the Liao and Ming dynasties 🩵The base is made of stone, and the body of the tower is brick ✅To see this tower, you need to climb Panshan, a test of your devotion has arrived.

💧Mount Wutai Spring💦Checked in at Beijing Yunju Temple 📍Shuitou Village, Dashiwu Town, Fangshan District, Beijing Yunju Temple consists of five courtyards and six halls with numerous pagodas The temple was founded during the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty by the monk Jingwan, who carved scriptures into the rocks The temple is grand in scale, with the Tripitaka, pagodas, and relics being noteworthy The Tripitaka refers to the stone scriptures, wooden scriptures, and the blood-written scriptures There are nine caves in Stone Scripture Mountain, but only the Thunder Sound Cave is open to the public The stone slabs carved by Monk Jingwan with the Tripitaka are on the cave walls There are exhibition halls for the paper and wooden scriptures, with authentic pieces Complete stories and explanations are provided, making the science popularization spot-on There are more than 20,000 hand-copied scripture scrolls, including seven scrolls of the blood-written scriptures These were written by the monk Zuhui of Miaolian Temple, who wrote with his own blood from his tongue The Qianlong Tripitaka, also known as the Dragon Tripitaka, currently has 77,000 pieces The official Han Chinese Tripitaka carved in wood is the largest in China There are more than ten ancient stone and brick pagodas in the temple The South Pagoda is for storing scriptures, and the North Pagoda is for relics They feature pavilions, covered bowls, and precious pagoda tops, which are very characteristic Yunju Temple is also one of the few temples in China that treasures relics The newly built Yongding River Bridge can be seen from the Fangshan subway line 'When did the imperial carriage stop by the splendid tents, as the white clouds always protect this small western paradise. Rugged pagodas stand through a thousand autumns of rain, and the brilliant scriptures are carved into ten thousand stones of Zen. The world knows of the calamities to this day, yet enlightenment and I seem to have no fate. I think back to the days when the true monk was here, and the sound of the great bell proclaimed through the valleys.'

The Fangshan Yunju Temple Pagoda and Stone Sutras, located in the Yunju Temple in Shuitou Village, Dashiwotown, Fangshan District, Beijing, are a group of cultural relics composed of Buddhist pagodas and stone sutras. The earliest Buddhist pagoda was built in the second year of Tang Jingyun (711), which is the oldest Tang pagoda in Beijing. There are also four Tang pagodas and one Liao pagoda. The stone sutras were carved from the Sui Daye period (605~617) to the Ming Dynasty, lasting for more than 1000 years. The stone pagodas and brick pagodas of the Tang Dynasty and the Liao Dynasty preserved near the Fangshan Yunju Temple, and the carved Buddha statues, donors, Vajra warriors, etc. inside the pagoda, are vivid and smooth, showing the high achievements of the architecture and sculpture art of the Tang and Liao Dynasties. The quantity is large and the carving is exquisite, which is rare in Beijing. The stone sutras are the cultural treasures of the Chinese nation and extremely precious world cultural heritage, with extremely high academic value, cultural value and historical value. They are known as the 'national treasure' and 'the Great Wall of Stone Sutras'. Through the stone sutras of different calligraphy styles in different dynasties, we can see the evolution of Chinese calligraphy. Some of the artistic images of Buddha, Bodhisattva, Heavenly King, attendant, flying sky, flowers and plants that appear on some sutra plates vividly and richly express the style of folk art in the Youzhou area at that time.

🌟Highlights: Yunju Temple, located in Shuitou Village, Dashiwo Town, Fangshan District, Beijing, was built at the end of the Sui Dynasty and the beginning of the Tang Dynasty. It was destroyed in the fire of the Japanese invasion in the 31st year of the Republic of China (1942), leaving only a pair of stone lions and a solitary tower. It was rebuilt in the 1980s. Yunju Temple covers an area of about 74 acres. The buildings are built according to the mountain terrain. All the buildings are divided into south, middle, and north routes. The main halls are all built on the central axis. There are six halls in the middle route, including Pilu Hall, Shijia Hall, Yaoshi Hall, Amitabha Hall, Dabeiyuan and the Sutra Pavilion and the Dharma Hall, etc. Each main hall has side halls and side rooms. The main building of the south route is the Ancestor Hall and the Earth Store Hall. The main building of the north route is only the Thousand Buddha Hall, and the rest are palaces or temple rooms. There are three groups of palaces, each of which is a four-sided architectural group, with corridors connecting the buildings in the courtyard. 👍Most Recommended: 1. Brick Pagoda The pagoda of Yunju Temple is an important part of the temple and an indispensable Buddhist cultural building. There are more than ten pagodas of various types and materials built within the scope of Yunju Temple, with the South Pagoda and North Pagoda as the main ones. 2. Sutra Cave The Stone Sutra Mountain, also known as Bai Dai Mountain, which Yunju Temple leans against, is a branch of the Taihang Mountains, commonly known as Xiao Xitian. There are nine sutra caves carved into the mountain at two levels, north and south. Of the nine caves, eight are closed, with stone sutra boards inscribed on both sides stacked inside. One of them is open and is the largest of the nine caves, called Leiyin Cave. There are doors and windows in front of the cave, and four octagonal stone pillars supporting the cave roof, each face of the pillar is carved with Buddha statues, a total of 1054, hence the name Gan Buddha Pillar. The cave is an irregular square, each side about 10 meters. The 146 stone sutra boards originally carved by Master Jingwan are embedded in the cave wall. 3. Three Uniques of the Temple The stone sutras, paper sutras, and woodblock sutras treasured in Yunju Temple are known as the 'Three Uniques'. The 'Stone Carved Buddhist Tripitaka' began to be carved in the Sui Dynasty, and monks such as Jingwan carved sutras on stone to maintain the Dharma. The sutra carving project lasted through the Sui, Tang, Liao, Jin, Yuan, Ming, six dynasties, spanning 1039 years, carving 1122 Buddhist sutras, 3572 volumes, 14278 pieces. There are more than 22,000 volumes of paper sutras, which are printed and handwritten copies of the Ming Dynasty, including the Southern Ming Tripitaka, the Northern Ming Tripitaka, and single carved Buddhist sutras. Among them, the 'Great Buddha's Flower Garland Sutra' was written in blood from the pierced tongue of the monk Zu Hui of Miaolian Temple, and is known as the 'Tongue Blood True Sutra'. The 'Dragon Tripitaka' wood sutra began to be carved from the 11th year of Yongzheng to the 3rd year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1733-1738), and there are now more than 77,000 pieces, which is a collection of translations of Buddhism in China for 2000 years. It is known as the best of Chinese woodblock sutras. 💰Average consumption: Adult ticket 40 yuan 📍Detailed address: Yunju Temple is located in Shuitou Village, Dashiwo Town, Fangshan District, Beijing 🚉Transportation strategy: Take bus F12, F19, F31 from Fangshan and get off at Yunju Temple Station. It takes about an hour to drive from the city center.

🎊Tanzhe Temple🎊 ❤️‍🔥Lingxiu Buddha Light❤️‍🔥 🕹️: Located in Mentougou, it is a 4A scenic spot not far from the city. It is a treasure. Although it is not big, it has everything. Being in it, under the lingering incense, the heart becomes peaceful instantly. Go to Tanzhe Temple, see the scenery, offer incense, eat vegetarian food, if tired, take a short rest in the Pear Tree Courtyard, leisurely and contentedly! 🎫: 50💰 🎊Jietan Temple🎊 ❤️‍🔥Full of Zen❤️‍🔥 🕹️: Jietan Temple, a 4A ancient temple, is located in Mentougou, close to the city. The whole temple is not big, so quiet that people unconsciously slow down to taste. Climb up the Jietan, overlook the mountains and rivers around, the heart drifts with the wind, time seems to stop, leaving only the tranquility of the soul. You can also eat vegetarian food here. 🎫: 45💰 🎊Yunju Temple🎊 ❤️‍🔥Cloud Top Buddhist Sound❤️‍🔥 🕹️: Yunju Temple is located on a mountain top shrouded in clouds, hidden in the mountains of Fangshan. Come to Yunju Temple to see the pagoda, read the scriptures, see the relics. Climbing all the way, it seems like stepping on a fairyland, feeling the tranquility of the heart, resonating with nature. 🎫: 40💰 🎊Beigong National Forest Park, the embrace of nature🎊 ❤️‍🔥Absolute treasure land❤️‍🔥 🕹️: Located in Fengtai, there are lakes, mountains, zoos, amusement parks... Whether it's the elderly, children, or young people, they can find fun here. Hiking is more friendly to the elderly and children. Standing on the top of the mountain, the fresh air hits your face, and you can also overlook the Shougang Park. 🎫: Free

Yunju Temple is located in Shuitou Village, Dashiwo Town, Fangshan District, Beijing. It was built in the late Sui and early Tang dynasties, and was destroyed in the artillery fire of the invading Japanese army in the 31st year of the Republic of China (1942), leaving only a pair of stone lions and a solitary tower, and was rebuilt in the 1980s. The Yunju Temple covers an area of about 74 acres, and the buildings are built according to the mountain. All the buildings are divided into south, middle, and north routes, and the main halls are all concentrated on the central axis. There are six halls in the middle road, from the mountain gate there are Pilu Hall, Shijia Hall, Yaoshi Hall, Amitabha Hall, Da Bei Hall and the Sutra Pavilion and Dharma Hall, etc. Each main hall has side halls and side rooms on both sides. The main building of the south road has the Ancestor Hall and the Dizang Hall. The main building of the north road only has the Thousand Buddha Hall, and the rest are palaces or temple rooms.