Beijing's Historical Temples Tour II (Self Guided), Beijing

Temple of Lord Guan was constructed in memory of Pang Shangpeng, the local governor during Ming Dynasty’s Wanli Era in Xitang. It underwent many renovations and change of name during the Qing Dynasty and finally became the temple of Lord Guan, a Taoist God in China.

In the main hall of the temple, you will find Lord Guan’s statue. In keeping with the tradition of Taoism, people today pray to him and burn incense sticks. The temple attracts huge crowds during important Taoist festivals. Taoists flock here to place their incenses in the vessel kept at the temple square.

Temple of Lord Guan has a vibrant, festive look during the festival. If you are lucky enough to be here during one of the grand temple fairs, you will find a variety of food stalls along the streets close to the temple. As the locals say, you can enjoy the stunning Taoist paintings, the vibrant atmosphere of the temple fair and the delicious Chinese Dim Sum snack, Shaomai.

Lord Guan is especially prayed to by the Xitang merchants on the 5th day of the 1st Lunar Calendar month. They burn incenses and pray for wealth and prosperity for the new year of business.

A trip to Beijing is incomplete without a visit to one of its oldest Buddhist temples Fayuan Temple. This temple is located to the Southwest of the city in Xuanwumen area. This temple was constructed in 645 by the second emperor of Tang Dynasty, Li Shimin, in memory of the soldiers and officers who lost their lives in battles. It was originally called the Temple in Memory of the Loyal (Minzhongsi).

Between 1436 and 1449, during Ming Dynasty’s Zhengtong period, the temple was rebuilt and named Chongfusi or Temple of Exalted Happiness. It was in 1734 that the temple got its present name.

Fayuan Temple is spread over 6,700 square meters. You will find a number of interesting cultural relics that include bronze sculptures and rare gilded figures of the three Buddhas namely the Puxian or Samantabadra, Wenshu or Majusri and Piluzhena or Vairochana. You will also find Davarajas or the Four Heavenly King bronze sculptures here.

In front of the Hall of Pure Karma, you will find a huge, decorated alms bowl that resembles the jade urn in Circular Wall in Beihai Park. Do not miss out Shang Shijin’s The Ode to the Pagoda at the Platform in Memory of the Loyal. This ode is written in Su Lingzhi’s calligraphy. You will also find exquisite stone pillars with Buddhist scriptures inscriptions on them, stone carvings and Ming and Qing dynasty plaques.

Ox Street Mosque is a spiritual center that caters to more than 200,000 Muslims in Beijing. This is the oldest and largest mosque in the city in existence since it was built in 995. Ox Street Mosque was constructed by two Arabs and underwent many renovations, additions and alterations between 13th and 19th centuries during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing and dynasties. It has been restored periodically since 1949.

A mile to the west of Temple of Heaven, you will find the Muslim Quarter. Ox Street or Niu Jie is located in this quarter. As you enter the street, you will find a variety of vendors and stalls selling shaobang or muffins, rice cakes and fried dough rings.

Ox Street Mosque is spread over a large area of 6000 square meters. The complex has many buildings such as the prayer hall, an observatory tower, the Bangge Lou minaret and two stone stele pavilions.

The mosque resembles a Buddhist temple due the classic Chinese style exteriors. However, as you enter the temple, there is no mistaking the traditional Arab style and ambience. The walls of the building are adorned with Arabic and Chinese inscriptions. If you are a non-Muslim, you can enjoy looking around the courtyards and exterior architecture. Only muslins are allowed to enter the main prayer hall.

Constructed originally by the Liao Dynasty, the Baoguo Temple is located in Ming City Wall Side Park. During the Ming Dynasty, this temple was destroyed by an earthquake and was reconstructed in a larger scale. The temple is frequented by tourists and locals who flock here to admire the amazing ancient city wall scenery. Here, you will also find the largest antique and artifacts market in Beijing.

Collectors flock to this Collection Market to shop for real, rare items at the Chinese Ceramics Shop, Chinese Currency Shop, Chinese Comic Collection Shop, Chinese Jade Shop, Chinese Painting Shop, Poker Collection Shop and Medal Collection Shop.

If you are interested in authentic Chinese collector’s items and artifacts, a visit to Baoguo Temple is a must. At the story book collector shops, you can also find interesting picture story books. Poker collections include a stunning range of seventeen thousand pokers from China and abroad.

Visit Baoguo Temple during weekends when the market in full swing and you will find this place lively and vibrant with a lot of excitement in the air.