The Eight Great Temples of the Western Hills [Chang’an Temple, Lingguang Temple, Sanshan Nunnery, Dabeian Nunnery, Longwang Hall, Xiangjie Temple, Baozhu Cave, and Zhengguo Temple] are located among the Cuiwei, Lushi, and Pingpo Mountains in the western suburbs. Surrounded by three peaks, these eight ancient temples are known as the “Eight Great Temples of the Western Hills” or the “Eight Great Monasteries,” and are a famous scenic area in the capital. The eight temples, in order, are Chang’an Temple,…
Located at the foot of the Western Hills and covering an area of 400 hectares, Beijing Botanical Garden is a comprehensive botanical garden primarily dedicated to the collection, display, and preservation of plant resources. It integrates scientific research, science education, leisure tourism, germplasm conservation, and the development of new and superior plants. The garden consists of the plant exhibition area, research zone, historic sites…
The Phoenix Ridge Nature Scenic Area is located in Niegezhuang Township, Haidian District, 33 kilometers from Tiananmen Square, covering a total area of 17.88 square kilometers. The scenic area boasts natural charm: green mountains and clear waters, blue skies and white clouds, layered verdant peaks, dense forests with winding paths, and a wide variety of rare flowers and plants spread across the hillsides. It enjoys an excellent ecological environment and is hailed as the “green lung” of the capital…
Yuyuantan Park is one of the eleven municipal parks in Beijing, conveniently located in the Haidian District. Its east gate is adjacent to the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse; its west side reaches the Middle West Third Ring Road, facing the China Central Television Tower across the road; its south gate is situated just north of the China Millennium Monument, and its north side connects to the Navy General Hospital. As early as the Jin Dynasty, this area was a renowned scenic retreat in the northwest suburbs of the old Jin capital. …
Dajue Temple, also known as Xishan Dajue Temple or Dajue Chan Temple, is located at the foot of Yangtai Mountain in Haidian District, Beijing. It was initially built in the fourth year of the Xianyong era during the Liao Dynasty (1068), known as Qingshui Yuan. During the Jin Dynasty, it was one of the Eight Great Water Temples of the Western Hills under Emperor Zhangzong of Jin and was then called Lingquan Temple. After being rebuilt in the Ming Dynasty, it was renamed Dajue Temple. The temple is famed for its clear springs, ancient trees, magnolia flowers, …
Highlights With a construction area of 63,000 square meters, this is a newly built competition venue. The gymnasium has 14,000 permanent seats and 4,000 temporary seats. After the Games, it will serve as a commercial facility supporting public services, becoming an important venue to meet the commercial, cultural, sports, and leisure needs of residents in Beijing’s western communities. Introduction…
Covering an area of over 200 hectares, Baiwangshan Forest Park is located three kilometers north of the Summer Palace, with the Jingmi Irrigation Canal winding around the mountain. It is the closest forest park to Beijing. Baiwangshan is the easternmost peak of the Taihang Mountains extending into the North China Plain and is known as the "First Peak of the Taihang Outpost." The main peak of Baiwangshan stands at an elevation of 210 meters, rising abruptly and majestically…
Highlights The gymnasium is located in the southeast area of Peking University campus and served as the dedicated venue for table tennis competitions during the 2008 Olympic Games. The facility covers a construction area of approximately 26,000 square meters, featuring 6,000 permanent seats and 2,000 temporary seats. After the Olympics, the venue was transformed into a comprehensive sports facility for Peking University…
Introduction There is a central axis running through the University of Science and Technology Beijing, and the university gymnasium is located along this axis. The central axis of the university extends eastward from the west gate, passing by the main building, the library, and the sports stadium. It can be said that the most central buildings of the university are situated along this axis, and the newly built gymnasium is positioned at the easternmost end of the axis...
Introduction Located at the eastern foot of the Fragrant Hills, originally named Biyun Nunnery, it was first built during the Yuan Dynasty. It is the most intact temple in the Western Hills scenic area and closely resembles Hangzhou’s Lingyin Temple. The entire temple complex spans 40,000 square meters and features attractions such as the Arhat Hall, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Shuiquan Courtyard, and the Vajra Throne Pagoda. The temple is set in beautiful surroundings with towering pines and cypresses. Outside the temple gate is…
The Ancient Bell Museum at the Great Bell Temple is located on North Third Ring West Road in Haidian District, Beijing. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit and a thematic museum with multiple functions including the collection, preservation, exhibition, research, and development of ancient bells. Over the years, under the kind care of the Party and government, and with the active support of friends from all walks of life...
The Capital Gymnasium is one of the largest, most multifunctional, and widely used sports venues in Beijing. It was completed in 1968. Located on the east side of Baishiqiao in Haidian District, it neighbors Beijing Zoo to the east and the Beijing Botanical Garden and the National Library of China to the west. Its primary functions include hosting international and domestic sports competitions, performances, and training...
The Reclining Buddha Temple is located within the Beijing Botanical Garden. It is a royal temple of the Tang Dynasty’s Chan Buddhism sect of Mahayana Buddhism and a national key cultural relics protection unit. Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty praised it as the “foremost scenic wonder upon entering the mountains” and the “crown of monasteries in the Western Hills.” According to legend, in the 19th year of the Zhenguan era of the Tang Dynasty, the eminent monk Xuanzang returned to Chang’an from India with a large collection of scriptures and Buddhist statues. Emperor Taizong of Tang…
Introduction The scenic area features lush forests and numerous ancient trees. Yangtai Mountain is one of the best spots in the suburbs of Beijing to watch the sunrise. It is dotted with many historical and cultural sites, including the Jiu Peak Forest Park, famous for its mountain paths, and the thousand-year-old Dajue Temple. At the foot of the main peak, Miaogaofeng, lies the well-preserved tomb of Prince Chun from the Qing Dynasty. After spring arrives (…
Highlights Located within the East Campus of China Agricultural University, approximately 2 kilometers from the National Olympic Park, this venue served as the wrestling competition arena during the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. It has a seating capacity of 8,000, covers a land area of 13,900 square meters, and has a total floor area of 23,950 square meters. Introduction This gymnasium, situated in the East Campus of China Agricultural University...
Introduction Located south of Yuyuantan Park, to the east is the Military Museum and to the west is China Central Television. It was specially built to welcome the new millennium. At the entrance at the southern end of the China Millennium Monument, the front of the monument stone is engraved with the five large characters "China Millennium Monument" handwritten by -, while the back of the stone features the inscription of the China Millennium Monument. There is also…
Introduction Purple Bamboo Park in Beijing is located outside Xizhimen. Once you step into Purple Bamboo Park, you enter the kingdom of bamboo. The park features bamboo pavilions, bamboo kiosks, bamboo tables, bamboo chairs, and even bridges of all sizes adorned with bamboo. The magnificent Dong Village wind-and-rain bamboo bridge allows visitors to personally experience how the Dong people of Guizhou take shelter from the rain and rest on the bridge; the...
Commonly referred to as the "Red Building," it is often cited as the "Peking University Red Building" or the "Shatan Red Building." The Red Building was one of the main campus buildings of Peking University from 1916 to 1952. Originally the First College Building of Peking University, the entire structure is built with red bricks and topped with red tiles, hence its name. Construction began in 191…
In 1935, after trampling over China's northeast, the iron hoof of Japanese imperialism extended further into North China. The vastness of North China could no longer hold a single peaceful desk. When the Chinese nation faced the critical moment of life and death, on December 9th, under the leadership of the Communist Party of China, the youth students of Beiping (Beijing) led...
Temple of Perfect Enlightenment, also known as the Reclining Buddha Temple, is located at the southern foot of Shou’an Mountain north of the Western Hills, 20 kilometers from downtown. It was built during the Zhenguan era (627–649) of the Tang Dynasty and was originally named Doushuai Temple. “Doushuai” is a transliteration from Sanskrit, meaning “wonderful sufficiency” or “contentment.” Established in the Zhenguan period of the Tang Dynasty, it has a history of over 1,300 years. Initially named...