Highlights:
The Temple of Azure Clouds (Chinese: 碧云寺), also called Fragrant Hills Temple of Azure Clouds (香山碧云寺) is a Buddhist temple located in the eastern part of the Western Hills, just outside the north gate of Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan Gongyuan), in the Haidian District, a northwestern suburb of Beijing, China, approximately 20 km from the city center.
Brief Introduction
The Temple of Azure Clouds was built in the 14th century (possibly in 1331), during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and was expanded in 1748. The temple, which is built on six different levels over an elevation of nearly 100 meters, is known for its fine scenery. The temple also includes a memorial hall to Sun Yat-sen, which is located at the center of the temple complex. Two other prominent features are the Five Hundred Arhats Hall and the Vajra Throne Tower.
A stone-paved road leads from the front gate of Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills) Park directly to the entrance gate of the temple. A brook runs outside the temple and passes before the gate of the park. On entering the temple, the visitor will pass two huge statues of lions measuring 4.8 meters in height. Inside the first compound are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, while in the center stands the Devaraja (Heavenly Kings) Hall, which houses a bronze image of Maitreya Buddha cast in the Ming Dynasty. A goldfish pond in this courtyard is surrounded by ancient sal trees, white-bark sandalwood trees and gingko trees. The second courtyard contains the main hall of the temple complex. Inside the hall stand images of Sakyamuni and his disciples. A series of clay figurines standing against the walls make up a diorama of the monk Xuanzang' s passage to India in quest of Buddhist scriptures.
The principal building in the third courtyard is the Hall of Bodhisattvas. The two roofed corridors that once stood here have fallen into decay.
The buildings in the fourth courtyard consist of the Rear Hall and its auxiliary halls, all of which are laid out in an orderly and harmonious manner. This complex now serves as the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall. Behind this is a stone memorial archway, which leads to the Diamond Throne Pagoda.
In the northern part of the compound are the Spring Garden, the Azure Hall of Study and the Eyeglasses Pond. In the Spring Garden on the western side of the temple, underground streams from a mountain spring can be seen gushing out of the crevices in the rocks. Rocks, pavilions, pines and cypresses embellish the spot, making it ideal for relaxation and meditation.
Featured Photoes
Recommended Travel Agencies:
Tour Beijing Travel Service
Headquarter:
Room 2001(20th Floor), Building No.01 of Linghangguoji, Nanxiaojie, Guangqumen, Chongwen District, Beijing, China 100061.
Tel: 86- 10-67160201
China Highlights
Headquarter:
China Highlights/ CITS Guilin,No.11 Binjiang Road, Guilin, GX541002, China
Tel: 800-2682918( Toll Free in USA)
800-8793-007( Toll Free in China)
China International travel service
Location:
China International Travel Service Guilin, 11 Binjiang Road, Guilin P.R. China, 541002
Tel: (86)773-2848195
Travelchinaguide:
Headquarter:
Suite 508, Yu Yuan Mansion, No.65 Nan Er Huan Xi Duan, Xian, P.R.C. 7100068.
Tel: (86)-29-852368-688
Toll Free:1-800-892-6988(USA&Canada)
+800-666-88666(Universal except USA)
800-840-9555(China Mainland)
