Zhihua Temple

Zhihua Temple

Zhihua Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Zhihua Temple, located on the north side of the eastern entrance to Lumicang Lane in Dongcheng District, Beijing, was built in the eighth year of the Zhengtong era (1443) during the early Ming Dynasty by Wang Zhen, an eunuch of the Directorate of Ceremonial, following the Tang and Song “Seven-Hall Monastery” layout. Initially serving as a family temple, it was later granted the name “Bao’en Zhihua Temple.” Following the Tumu Crisis, Wang Zhen’s entire clan was executed. After Emperor Yingzong’s restoration to power, in the first year of the Tian Shun era (1457), a “Jingzhong Shrine” was erected in the temple in honor of Wang Zhen, complete with a statue for worship.

Zhihua Temple

As a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit, Zhihua Temple is an ancient temple from the Ming Dynasty, originally constructed in the eighth year of the Zhengtong era (1443), and is noted for its distinctive Ming-style features. Its solemn and elegant black-glazed tile roof made with unique materials, its simple yet fresh decorative paintings, its exquisite and classic Buddhist art, and its “Zhihua Temple Jing Music,” hailed as a “living fossil of ancient Chinese music,” are all rare treasures.

Imperial Plaque Bestowed Temple

Zhihua Temple

The mountain gate bears a white marble horizontal plaque inscribed with “Imperial Plaque Bestowed Zhihua Temple.” The term “Imperial Plaque Bestowed” means the temple name was conferred by the emperor. The word “Zhihua” signifies using the wisdom of the Buddha to deliver all beings. Although the architectural style of the gate at Zhihua Temple is one of the most common among ancient Chinese temples, the two characters “Imperial Plaque Bestowed” alone signify its noble status and suggest that within this ordinary-looking gate lies a unique treasure. Zhihua Temple flourished in the Ming Dynasty when it was named “Bao’en Zhihua Temple” by Emperor Yingzong but suffered damage in the Qing Dynasty due to the suppression of eunuch political dominance. Its history has seen great ups and downs, and to this day, it has endured 559 springs and autumns. The temple faces south and north, with key structures along its central axis including the mountain gate, Zhihua Gate (i.e., the Heavenly King Hall), Zhihua Hall, Rulai Hall (also called the Ten-Thousand-Buddha Pavilion), and Dabei Hall. In front of the Zhihua Gate are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, symmetrically arranged on the east and west sides; in front of Zhihua Hall are the Dazhi Hall and Zang Hall, also symmetrically placed. All are typical Ming-style hip-and-gable roof architecture. It can be considered the largest wooden architectural complex from the Ming Dynasty in Beijing.

Zhihua Hall

Facing south, Zhihua Hall is the main hall of the temple, equivalent to the Mahavira Hall in other temples. Originally, the central area and both sides of the hall housed white marble Sumeru pedestals, with the central pedestal enshrining statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Bhaisajyaguru Buddha, while the sides featured wooden, gilded statues of the Eighteen Arhats—all of which are now lost. In 1972, the Three Buddhas were moved to the Great Sage Hall at Jue Temple in the Western Hills, where they remain on display. The hall features an imperial plaque inscribed with “No Coming No Going,” written by Emperor Qianlong. Upon reflection, this may be a historical coincidence, a spark of inspiration from Emperor Qianlong, or a reflection of the boundless nature of Buddhist teachings—leaving much to ponder.

Rulai Hall

Located behind Zhihua Hall, it is the largest structure along the central axis. The hall enshrines the principal image of the Tathagata Buddha, hence the name Rulai Hall. The building has two stories, and apart from areas with doors and windows, its four walls are covered with niches housing small gilded Buddha statues. It is said there are over nine thousand of them, which is why it is also called the Ten-Thousand-Buddha Pavilion. Due to Zhihua Temple’s unique historical background, its paintings and sculptures not only exhibit strong religious characteristics (such as the revolving scripture repository) but also carry a distinct secular social flavor.

Ten-Thousand-Buddha Pavilion

This is the highest point of Zhihua Temple. From the distant mountain gate and bell and drum towers to the nearby Zhihua Hall and Ten-Thousand-Buddha Pavilion, all the rooftops of the halls are covered with black glazed tiles, symbolizing sacredness, dignity, authority, and nobility. Black glazed tiles were mainly used in imperial and officially commissioned temples, and only official kilns were permitted to produce them. The black-tiled roofs correspond fittingly with the temple’s name “Zhihua”—the former representing the descent of wind to subdue demons, and the latter signifying the use of wisdom to deliver sentient beings.

Address: No. 5, Lumicang Hutong, Dongcheng District, Beijing

Type: Historical Site Museum

Recommended Visiting Time: 1–2 hours

Phone: 010-65286691

Official Website: http://www.zhihuatemple.com/

Opening Hours:

Tuesday–Sunday: 8:30–16:30; closed on Mondays

Ticket Information:

Door Price: 20.0 RMB

Adults: 20 RMB; seniors and primary & secondary school students are admitted free with valid ID; college and graduate students receive a 50% discount with a valid student ID. Free admission for 200 visitors every Wednesday.

Further Reading:

· First Batch of Municipal-Level Cultural Relics Protection Units in Beijing

· First Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units