The Tanzhe Temple

The Tanzhe Temple is a State AAAA Scenic Spot and one of the top-priority national protected cultural relic sites in Beijing. Located in Mentougou District of Beijing, it is about 30 kilometers away from downtown Beijing. Initially built in the first year of Yongjia (AD 307) during the Western Jin Dynasty, it boasts a time-honored history of almost 1,700 years. As the proverb goes: “Tanzhe Temple came first, then Beijing City made its debut”.

Due to the "Dragon Nest" behind the temple and Cudrania trees making a forest in the mountain, Tanzhe Temple hereby got its name. Tanzhe Temple sits north and faces south, leaning against Baozhu Mountain. Surrounded by nine tall peaks as a horseshoe-shaped retaining ring, Baozhu Mountain seems protected by nine dragons in the middle. The large Tanzhe Temple stands in the south foothill of Baozhu Mountain. As the tall peaks prevent cold northwestern currents, a warm and humid microclimate occurs where the Tanzhe Temple stands. Therefore, this region features lush vegetation with many old trees and valuable flowers. A magnificent view of a beautiful natural environment greets all tourists.

It is said that when the Forbidden City was built in the early Ming Dynasty, it was really patterned after the Tanzhe Temple. At present, the Tanzhe Temple has 943 buildings, including 638 ancient architectural halls. The whole building maintains the styles and features dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is also the largest ancient temple complex in suburb Beijing. The entire complex fully reflects the ancient Chinese aesthetic principles: with a north-south axis; the basic symmetry is achieved on both sides so that the whole complex appears with a well-established style, neat formation and distinct priority and clear-cut layers. Its architectural forms are specified as follows: hall, court, pavilion, house of retreat, studio, chamber, altar etc.

Address: Foothill of Tanzhe Mountain, south-eastern part of Mentougou District; Bus 931