Xuanren Temple

Xuanren Temple

Xuanren Temple is a protected cultural heritage site of Beijing.

Xuanren Temple is located at No. 2 and No. 4 Beichizi Street. It was built in the sixth year of the Yongzheng reign during the Qing Dynasty (1728) by imperial decree to enshrine the God of Wind, commonly known as the Wind God Temple. It was renovated in the ninth year of the Jiaqing reign (1804). Its design was modeled after the Shishi Palace in Zhongnanhai (which enshrines the God of Rain), and it was bestowed the title “Manifest Blessing in Season,” while the temple itself was named “Xuanren.” Inside the temple is an imperial plaque inscribed with “Harmonious and Auspicious Peace,” written by Emperor Yongzheng. The Offering Hall enshrines the God of Wind, and the Rear Hall enshrines the Eight Wind Gods. The God of Wind is the deity governing wind, and the purpose of the Wind God Temple is to pray for divine protection to prevent the nation from suffering wind disasters.

According to the “Complete Map of the Imperial Capital” from the Qianlong era and on-site investigations: the temple is surrounded by temple walls. At both the eastern and western ends of the southern side, there is a paifang (decorative archway) (it is unclear whether they are two-pillar, one-door or four-pillar, three-door structures). Inside the courtyard, a screen wall stands to the south, and the temple gate is to the north. Upon entering the temple gate, bell towers and drum towers are located to the east and west, and the Offering Hall is to the north. This hall has interior walls extending northward to the Rear Hall. On the southern part of the interior walls, there are side gates on the east and west that lead to long, narrow side courtyards outside the walls, each containing nine small rooms. Beyond the Offering Hall to the north lie the Main Hall, the Rear Hall, and the Side Halls on the east and west.

Xuanren Temple

The current condition is that the temple’s street gate is a large side-wall gate facing west and situated on the east side; it was modified later. All halls within the courtyard face south. In front of the temple gate is a straight-line glazed brick screen wall with a green-glazed tile roof, a raised ridge, a stone Sumeru pedestal at the base, a golden-edged lotus-petal medallion in the center, all preserved in their original state. The temple gate consists of three bays, with a hip-and-gable roof and raised ridge covered in yellow glazed tiles trimmed with green. The central bay features a stone arch, and the gate is adorned with a stone plaque inscribed “Imperially Commissioned Xuanren Temple.” Stone arch windows are located on both sides, and under the eaves are single downward-curved brackets with three tiers. There are two side rooms on the east and west sides of the front wall. The side rooms each have two stone arch windows. The eaves feature single downward-curved brackets with three tiers. The Offering Hall is three bays wide, measuring 10 meters in width and 6.2 meters in depth. It has a hip-and-gable roof with a raised ridge, covered in yellow glazed tiles trimmed with green. The beams and crossbeams inside the hall are painted with swirling decorative patterns. The above buildings have all been restored. The interior walls no longer exist, and the side rooms on both sides have been remodeled. The Main Hall is three bays wide, measuring 14.4 meters in width and 11.8 meters in depth, with a hip-and-gable roof and a raised ridge, covered in yellow glazed tiles trimmed with green. Under the eaves are double downward-curved brackets with five tiers. The ceiling features a caisson design. The murals depict floral themes. The aforementioned buildings have all undergone restoration. The interior walls are gone, and the side rooms on both sides have been rebuilt. The Rear Hall is three bays wide, 14.4 meters in width and 11.8 meters in depth, with a hip-and-gable roof and a raised ridge, covered in yellow glazed tiles trimmed with green. The eaves have five-tiered double downward-curved brackets. The ceiling is shaped like a caisson. Murals of flowers and birds decorate the space. The Side Halls consist of two rooms, each with two bays. They are single-room structures with gabled roofs. There are two stone arch windows on the east and west sides. Under the eaves are single downward-curved brackets with three tiers. The Side Rooms each have two bays, with gabled roofs. There are two stone arch windows on the east and west sides. Under the eaves are single downward-curved brackets with three tiers. The Side Rooms each have two rooms, with a door connecting the two interiors. The floor is paved with bricks, and the ceiling is coffered. The Rear Hall has been renovated, and the floor is paved with bricks. The overall condition reflects a well-preserved municipal cultural heritage site in Beijing.

Location

No. 2 Beichizi Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of Municipal-Level Protected Cultural Heritage Sites in Beijing