|
Also known as the
Cudrania Pool Temple, it is the largest of
Beijing's temples. A number of beautiful
features like the dragon decoration, mythical
animal sculptures and grimacing gods can be seen
here. Because of the
Dragon Pool at its rear and the zhe trees
(cudrania tricuspidata) on the hill, it has been
popularly known as the Pool and Zhe Tree Temple,
or Tanzhe Temple. The cudrania trees nourish
silkworms and provide a yellow dye.
Situated in the Mentougou
District, this temple is more than 40 km
southwest of Beijing. First built in the
Jin Dynasty (265-316), it has a history of 1,700
years and the existing architecture in the
temple was built in the Ming and Qing dynasties. A common saying here is that 'first there
was the Tanzhe Temple, then there was Beijing'.
The main attraction here visitors come to see is
the two Emperor Trees by the Hall of Three Sages
which is believed to be planted in the Liao
Dynasty estimated to be over one thousand years
old.
Opening times:
8.00am to 4.30pm (summer) and 8.30am to 4.00pm
(winter)
Admission: 30 yuan
Location: In
Tanzhesi Town, Mentougou District, Beijing
Transport:
Visitors may get on bus No. 336 at Fuchengmen
and get off at Hetan bus stop, then change a bus
to the temple. Visitors may go to Pingguoyuan by
subway and then transfer to bus No. 326 to get
to Hetan bus stop and then change a bus to the
temple.
_____________________________________________________________________________________
|