Ruins of the Cross Temple

Ruins of the Cross Temple

The ruins of the Cross Temple are a Major Historical and Cultural Site Protected at the National Level.

The Cross Temple is located on Sanpen Mountain, north of Chechang Village, Zhoukoudian Town, Fangshan District, Beijing. Originally built in 317 AD during the first year of the Jianwu era of the Eastern Jin Dynasty as a Buddhist temple, it was renovated in 638 AD during the 12th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty. Between 952 and 958 AD (the 2nd to 8th years of the Yingli era of the Liao Dynasty), it underwent further repairs and was renamed the Chongsheng Monastery of Sanpen Mountain. In 1358 AD (the 18th year of the Zhiyuan era of the Yuan Dynasty), it was renamed the “Cross Temple” and converted into a church of the Church of the East (a branch of Christianity). It reverted to being a Buddhist temple in the Ming Dynasty but gradually declined after the Republic of China period, leaving only ruins today.

The Cross Temple is currently the only relatively intact site of a Church of the East temple discovered in China. The main hall has been destroyed, but remnants include the temple’s foundation, which features five rooms facing south. Within the temple grounds are two marble stone steles: one from the Liao Dynasty, with the inscription “Record of the Chongsheng Monastery of Sanpen Mountain” horizontally inscribed across the top. This stele stands 204 cm tall, 91 cm wide, and 20 cm thick. The other is from the Yuan Dynasty, featuring a cross engraved inside a round ball at the top of the stele, flanked by carved stone dragons on either side, and the inscription “Imperially Commissioned Record of the Cross Temple” in the center. This stele is 307 cm tall, 92 cm wide, and 20 cm thick. Nearby, there are also two white marble turtle-shaped pedestals, four stone column bases, each with sides 78 cm long and a height of 20 cm, engraved with sunflower patterns. The flower disks are flat with a diameter of 54 cm, surrounded by 16 petals, each carved with clustered cloud motifs. There is also one circular column base with a diameter of 48 cm.

The ruins of the Cross Temple serve as important physical evidence of cultural exchange between China and the West, not just in Beijing but across the country. In May 2006, the Cross Temple ruins, as a Yuan Dynasty historical site, were approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level.

Location

Zhoukoudian Town, Fangshan District, Beijing

Further Reading:

· Sixth Batch of Major Historical and Cultural Sites Protected at the National Level