The
Temple of the Azure Clouds is situated in the eastern part of the Western
Hills, just outside the north gate of Xiangshan Park. The temple buildings
are on the gradually sloping hillside and, from the temples main gate
at the foot of the hill to the highest point, rise almost 100 meters.
History
This temple was initially built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368)
and was taken reconstruction during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The
interior buildings almost retain the style of the Ming Dynasty (1368
- 1644) completely. More
information...
Architecture
The Temple of the Azure Clouds was built on six different levels, and
each of the interconnecting courtyards has a special character. The
most famous buildings inside the temple, however, are the Sun Yat-sen
Memorial Hall, 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. The gate of Azure Clouds which is
faced by the stone lions is called the Mountain Gate. A brook runs outside
the temple and passes before the gate of the park.
On both
sides of this temple are two Buddhist guardians which were carved during
the Ming Dynasty and each being five 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. More
information...
Chinatravelkey can add Temple of Azure Clouds on the Following Beijing Tour Routes:
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