Shijingshan Cheng'en Temple

Shijingshan Cheng'en Temple

Cheng'en Temple is a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

Cheng'en Temple is located in the eastern part of Moshikou Street, Shijingshan District, Beijing. It was built during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty (1506–1521).

The temple covers an area of approximately 30 acres and consists of four courtyards. From south to north in the eastern part of the temple are, in sequence, the Mountain Gate Hall, the Heavenly King Hall, the Main Hall, and the Rear Hall.

There are dozens of side halls and wing rooms on both sides of the Mahavira Hall. The temple walls are surrounded by watchtowers resembling bunkers, which are rare for temples from the Ming and Qing dynasties. It is said that there are also underground passages connecting various parts of the temple. The original Mountain Gate Hall, Heavenly King Hall, and Mahavira Hall all had murals, but now only the four mural panels in the Heavenly King Hall remain. Each of the four panels depicts a soaring dragon leaping and dancing among auspicious clouds, vividly rendered and reflecting the diverse styles of Ming Dynasty mural art. They are extremely precious and hold significant research value.

There are also two Ming Dynasty steles in the temple: one is an Imperial Edict Stele, erected in the eighth year of the Zhengde era (1513); the other is an inscription composed by Li Dongyang, Minister of Personnel, and erected in the tenth year of the Zhengde era (1515).

In May 2006, Cheng'en Temple, as an ancient architectural structure from the Ming to Qing periods, was approved by the State Council for inclusion in the sixth batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units.

Address: Moshikou Street, Shijingshan District, Beijing

Opening Hours:

The temple is not open to the public.

Further Reading:

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

· Sixth Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units