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Tanzhesi Temple
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Updated: 2004-01-14 16:15  Tanzhesi Temple (the Pool and Cudrania Temple) is located
among the peaks of West Hill about 45 kilometres west of Beijing City. The name
comes from the Dragon Pool behind the temple and the rare three-bristle
cudranias growing on the hills. It is well known that "Tanzhe Temple was built
before Beijing." It was built in the Jin Dynasty (265-420) when it was known as
the Jiafusi Temple. It has as such existed for more than 1600 years.
The
complex is divided into three parts. The middle part includes the Archway Tower,
Temple Gate, the Heaven King Hall, Daxiong Baodian, and Biluge. The Daxiong
Baodian is very imposing with long gilded chains hung at either end of the main
roof ridge. To the east grows an ancient gingko tree that is about 1000 years
old. The tree was named the "Emperor of Trees" by Emperor Qianlong. Biluge
stands on the highest point in the temple grounds. It offers an excellent view
of the site and the surrounding hills. The eastern section consists of the
courtyard buildings, including the Abbot's Room and the Imperial Palace, where
the emperor would stay for short trips away from the capital during Qing Dynasty
(1644 - 1911). The western section includes an ordination altar and the Guanyin
Hall. Seventy-two pagodas dating from the Jin (1115 - 1234), Yuan (1271 - 1368),
Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing dynasties stand in front of the temple. The Dragon
Pool is behind the temple. The spring water was very clear and flows in a
constant stream.
Once the home of masses of monks and nuns, the temple is now a peaceful and
esoteric place to visit with its simple and elegant buildings and its natural
surroundings.
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