Xiangjie Temple

　　    Situated northwest of Longwangtang on Pingpo Mountain, an extension of Beijing’s Western Hills, it is the largest temple among the Eight Great Sites. Owing to its gentle terrain, it is also called “Pingpo Temple.” The temple was first built in the early years of the Qianyuan era of the Tang Dynasty (758 AD), rebuilt in the first year of the Hongxi era of the Ming Dynasty (1425 AD), and renamed “Dayuantong Temple.” It was reconstructed again in the 17th year of the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (1678 AD) and renamed “Shenggan Temple.” In the 13th year of the Qianlong era (1748 AD), following renovations, it was given the name “Xiangjie Temple,” meaning “

　　The architecture of Xiangjie Temple is built along the mountain slope from the mountain gate to the Scripture Depository, comprising six courtyards and five levels of halls in total. The halls are grand in scale with multiple gates. Upon entering the temple gate, there is a stone staircase stretching hundreds of steps. Ascending the stairs leads you to the Mahayana Gate. A couplet reads: “A bamboo shadow taps the bright moon; half a couch of pine breeze reclines on white clouds,” succinctly capturing the serene environment and elegant scenery here. The temple is larger in scale than the other seven sites and was historically a resting place for emperors during their mountain excursions. Today, the temple still preserves the “Imperial Travel Palace” and “Scripture Depository” dating back to the Qianlong era of the Qing Dynasty.

　　Most of the existing structures are remnants from the Ming and Qing dynasties. The temple complex centers around the Scripture Depository, with east and west “Corridor Towers” forming a square courtyard. To the left and right are the Bell and Drum Towers, and the east side houses the Qianlong Imperial Travel Palace. The central hall is the main shrine, enshrining three large Buddha statues, flanked by eighteen vividly colored arhat statues. The upper floor of the Travel Palace features the emperor’s throne, while the opposite hall displays a plaque personally inscribed by Qianlong, reading “Yuan Jing Ping Bi” (緣淨平畢).

　　The Scripture Depository consists of three sections. The main building houses a Thousand-Handed, Thousand-Eyed Guanyin statue, alongside four tall scripture cabinets containing 756 volumes of Buddhist scriptures. The left building serves as a meditation hall and storage for kitchen supplies; the right building enshrines over a hundred memorial plaques of successive abbots. The courtyard in front of the Scripture Depository is spacious, planted with rare flowers and trees such as peonies, tree peonies, lilacs, hibiscus, cherries, and wisteria. The most precious is a magnolia tree planted during the Ming Dynasty, as tall as the building. When in bloom, its fragrance fills the courtyard. It typically blossoms in late spring, emitting a rich scent with pure white petals and golden stamens. Legend has it that it was planted in the Ming Dynasty and is the only one of its kind among the Eight Great Sites. The imperial travel palace to the east of the hall differs in design from the temple buildings, boasting a grand and magnificent scale with exquisite embellishments. In front of the front hall lies the “Tiao Yuan Zhai” (远眺斋), where visitors can open the door and gaze into the distance, enjoying a sudden sense of openness. The peaks, plains, greenery, and misty clouds of western Beijing are all visible, making it a truly splendid sightseeing spot.

　　Xiangjie Temple has a well-organized and symmetrical layout. Along the central axis from south to north are, in sequence: the Mountain Gate Hall, Mahayana Gate, Heavenly King Hall, Mahavira Hall, Western Trinity Hall, and Scripture Depository.

　　The Mountain Gate Hall is three bays wide, featuring a white marble arched gate. Under the eaves is inlaid a white marble plaque inscribed with the four characters “?冉ㄏ憬缢隆保?which are the temple’s name. The plaque is elegantly carved. The hall exudes a solemn atmosphere. The two characters “Mountain” and “Gate” are prominently displayed, and upon entering, one immediately senses the tranquil and sacred ambiance.

　　Entering the Mahayana Gate leads to a flat and open courtyard. In the center of the courtyard stand the Bell and Drum Towers on either side. Both towers are double-eaved, hip-and-gable roofed pavilion-style structures, tall and exquisitely crafted, fully showcasing the grandeur of the “?冉ㄏ憬缢隆苯ㄖ? The left tower houses an ancient bell, while the right contains a drum. Their resonant sounds echo through the mountains and valleys, harmonizing with the prayers of monks and the visits of worshippers. The scenery here is picturesque, offering views of the bustling activity of monks and the serene beauty of the landscape, hence earning the reputation of being a “pure land.”