Beijing Huguosi Temple

　　Huguosi Temple is one of the eight major temples in Beijing and was first built during the Yuan Dynasty. Originally the residence of Tolui, the Yuan Dynasty’s grand chancellor, it was initially named Chongguo Temple (North Temple). In the fourth year of the Ming Xuande era (1429), it was renamed Dalongshan Temple. In the eighth year of the Ming Chenghua era (1472), it was bestowed the name Dalongshan Huguo Temple. In the 61st year of the Qing Kangxi era (1722), Mongolian princes and beiles renovated the temple to celebrate the birthday of the Shengzu (Kangxi Emperor), extensively refurbishing the site. It came to be known as Huguo Temple, also called the West Temple, corresponding to the East Temple, Longfu Temple.

　　Huguosi Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple in Beijing, originally built in the Yuan Dynasty. According to the Ming Dynasty work “Scenic Spots and Historic Sites in the Imperial Capital” by Liu Tong and Yu Yizheng: “The great Dalongshan Huguo Temple, commonly called Chongguo Temple by locals, is the temple’s original name. Locals are fond of mispronouncing names, hence calling it by its original title. The temple dates back to the Yuan Dynasty, with renovations carried out during the Huangqing, Yuanyou, and Zhizheng eras. Originally there were two Chongguo Temples in the north and south of the Yuan Dynasty—this one is the northern one. In our Xuande Jiyou year, it was bestowed the name Longshan. In Chenghua Renchen, the name Huguo was added. In Zhengde Renshen, the Western Tibetan Dachan Great Law King Zhanzhan Ban Dan and the Great Enlightenment Law King Zhuo Xiao Zang Bu, among others, were ordered to reside here, leading to large-scale construction at the temple. There were three central halls, eight side halls, and the final Jingming Hall. Beside the hall were two stupas, known as the Buddha Relic Stupas.” The temple had five courtyards in total. There are many stone tablets in the courtyards, among which are the famous “Stele of Master Yansong from the First Year of Huangqing” written by Zhao Mengfu and the “Ling’an Xuan Gong Biography and Precepts Stele from the 24th Year of Zhizheng,” both composed and inscribed by Wei Su. In addition to enshrining various Buddhas and Buddhist patriarchs, the temple also houses statues of the Yuan Dynasty’s Grand Chancellor Tolui and his wife, as well as a memorial hall for Yao Guangxiao, who made outstanding contributions to the founding of the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Zhu Di. There was also a vineyard covering several acres, indicative of the temple’s vast scale.

　　Huguosi Temple

　　Huguosi Snacks primarily feature a range of halal-style Beijing local snacks. Over the years, the selection has evolved. Regular offerings include various glutinous treats such as assorted filled yuanxiao (sweet rice balls), halal tangyuan (glutinous rice balls), aiwowo (sticky rice balls with sweet filling), doumian gao (bean flour cake), sesame rice cake, fruit-filled rice cake, and pea yellow. Fried items include honey twists, smiley pastries, crispy crackers, and fried dough rings. Soups and porridges include douzhi (fermented mung bean drink), miancha (buckwheat tea), adzuki bean porridge, assorted offal soup, fresh soy milk, almond tofu, and lotus seed congee. The shop produces nearly a hundred varieties including pea yellow, aiwowo, doumian gao, fruit-filled cakes, honey twists, honey san dao (three-cuts candy), fried dough rings, tang huoshao (sweetened baked wheat cake), bean paste pies, sugar oil crisps, and savory sesame paste pies—ranging from dry to wet, sweet to savory, and prepared by steaming, frying, boiling, or baking.