Huanggu Temple

　　      Origin of the Attraction

      Huanggu Temple, originally named “Xianying Temple,” is located in Xihuang Village, Shijingshan District. It was built during the TianShun era of the Ming Dynasty and was bestowed the name “Shuntian Baoming Temple” by Emperor Yingzong of Ming. Historical Background: Huanggu Temple was initially constructed during the TianShun era of the Ming Dynasty and was called “Shuntian Baoming Temple.” Legend has it that its founding patriarch, Lü Niu, once saved Emperor Yingzong Zhu Qizhen. After the emperor’s restoration to power, he conferred the title of “Imperial Aunt” upon Lü Niu, hence the common name “Huanggu Temple.”

In the 12th year of the Jiajing reign (1533), the bronze bell cast in the 6th year of the TianShun reign (1470) was recast and is now housed in the Great Bell Temple. In the 1st year of the Wanli reign (1573), Empress Dowager Cisheng led a group in donating another bronze bell. Between the 16th and 50th years of the Kangxi reign (1677–1711), Huanggu Temple was destroyed by fire. It was rebuilt in the 50th year of the Kangxi reign (1711). Emperor Kangxi personally composed an inscription on a stele to commemorate the event and renamed the temple Xianying Temple. The existing Huanggu Temple reflects the scale from the Kangxi reconstruction. The temple faces south with its mountain gate and Heavenly King Hall no longer extant. The second courtyard contains the Guanyin Hall, the third the Ancestral Hall, and the fourth the lost Medicine Buddha Pavilion, though the western side hall still remains.

      Legend has it that shortly after the completion of Huanggu Temple, a severe drought struck, nearly wiping out the crops. Local villagers went to the temple to burn incense, kowtow, and offer ingots to pray for rain—and their prayers were remarkably answered. In subsequent droughts, residents from nearby villages flocked to Huanggu Temple to pray for rainfall, seeking the protection and blessings of the “Imperial Aunt.”

　　      Location: Located in Xihuang Village, Shijingshan District

      Opening Hours: Not open. The Spring Festival Huanggu Temple Fair has been suspended to prevent the risk of COVID-19 transmission.

       BeijingHuanggu Temple