chinaetravel   
Destination Attraction Entertainment Hotels   Sitemap Contact About
TownABC  

More on this ...

nearby Hotel

Booking

hotels
tours
flights
insurance
special deals

About China

about China
survival facts
food
transportation
useful link

Our Latest Tours
 

Tanzhe Temple

Introduction

Situated in the Western Hills, this Buddhist temple lies 45km (28 miles) west of Beijing. The temple’s name means dragon pool and mulberry tree temple, due to its proximity to the Dragon Pool and the trees growing in the surrounding hills. The temple dates back 1,600 years, although its name has changed on numerous occasions. Covering an area 41,600 sq meters, this temple is one of the largest in the area.

Most of the buildings are in typical Ming and Qing style architecture. The temple is divided between the Hall of Abstinence, the Ordination Altar and the Hall to Guanyin. The latter has received fame because of its association with princess Miaoyan, daughter of Kublai Khan. The princess is said to have entered the nunnery here in the 13th century. Within the hall indentations can be found on the stone on which she always knelt and prayed. Supposedly she was also buried within the temple compound. A statue of her is on display at the temple.

The greenery in the area is spectacular especially in the spring when the fruit trees are in blossom. In the compound there is also an ancient ginko tree known as the emperor’s tree that stands 30 meters (98ft) high and was supposedly planted in the Liao dynasty (916-1125AD).

 
Bookmark
Bookmark and Share
TownABC.com
google ad

chinaetravel.com HOME | PRIVACY POLICY | DISCLAIMER | ABOUT
Copyright 1999-2009 Chinaetravel.com. All Rights Reserved.