Ruins of Shanan Temple

Ruins of Shanan Temple

The ruins of Shanan Temple are a cultural tourism attraction.

Destination Introduction

The ruins of Shanan Temple are located at the western entrance of Nan Heng Street, outside Xuanwu Gate. It was first built during the Tianhui era (1123–1135) of the Jin Dynasty.

Legend has it that the temple was constructed by the emperors and empresses of the Jin Dynasty for two eminent monks, Fo Jue and Hui Tang. As the temple was built near Liu Hu Village within the central capital city and had a lake just outside its premises with weeping willows along the shore, it was commonly known as Liu Hu Temple. In the 11th year of the Zhengtong era of the Ming Dynasty (1446), it was renovated and renamed Pujisi Temple. Then in the 41st year of the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty (1776), it was restored again and regained its original name, Shanan Temple.

The temple's architecture centers around the Mahavira Hall, surrounded by the Rear Hall, Rui Xiang Pavilion, the Heavenly King Hall, side halls to the east and west, and courtyards. The interior beams and brackets of the Mahavira Hall, such as the interlocking bracket arms (known as “mandarin duck” brackets), feature architectural styles predating the Qing Dynasty. Inside the hall are three statues of the Buddhas of the Three Ages, commonly referred to as the Three Saints of the West, which date back to the Ming Dynasty. The Buddha figures are purplish-red in color, thick and robust in form, with large, tall halos behind them. The outer layer of the halos is intricately carved with flame patterns, while the inner layer features three small seated Buddha reliefs, each resting on a lotus base. The murals inside the hall are said to have been painted by Shang Xi, a renowned Ming Dynasty artist. On the walls to the east, west, and north, there are eight murals depicting Buddhist stories. The three Bodhisattva statues behind the rear screen are exquisitely painted, with delicate lines on their garments and subtle coloring on their skin. The murals of Shanan Temple represent the typical style of religious mural art in China during the early 15th century. The Buddha statues and murals were destroyed in the late 1960s, and the Rui Xiang Pavilion was relocated to Taoranting Park.

Beijing, Xuanwu District