Fayuan Temple, Beijing: A Hidden Ancient Gem
1. Fayuan Temple: The Oldest Buddhist Temple in Beijing
Hidden in the busy streets near Xuanwumen, Fayuan Temple is a peaceful sanctuary. This thousand-year-old Buddhist temple is the oldest still standing in Beijing. With red walls, grey tiles, and blooming lilacs in spring, it offers travelers a unique mix of history and culture.
Fayuan Temple has stood for over 1,400 years, surviving dynasties, earthquakes, and restorations. Built in 645 AD by Emperor Taizong, it was renamed several times before Emperor Yongzheng officially gave it the name “Fayuan Temple” in 1734. Emperor Qianlong himself wrote the plaque that still hangs in the Grand Hall today.
2. Cultural Significance and Buddhist Heritage
Fayuan Temple is one of the main centers of Chinese Buddhist culture. It is home to the China Buddhist Academy and the Buddhist Library and Museum, making it an important site for young monks and researchers.
The temple is also famous for its lilac blossoms, which poets and scholars like Xu Zhimo and Rabindranath Tagore admired. Many visitors come in April, when the courtyard turns into a purple and white sea of flowers.
Inside, you can explore the Grand Hall, the Sutra Library, and the unique Guanyin Hall. Sunlight streaming through wooden windows creates a timeless, peaceful atmosphere.
3. Visiting Fayuan Temple: What Travelers Need to Know
The temple follows a traditional north-south layout, with halls arranged in sequence. Visitors can admire Buddhist statues, murals, and stone carvings dating back to the Han, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties. Highlights include:
- The Grand Hall with Ming-era statues of Vairocana Buddha, Manjushri, and Samantabhadra
- Guanyin Hall, housing sacred bodhisattva figures
- Sutra Library, home to ancient scriptures and a 7.4-meter reclining Buddha
- Precious relics, like China’s earliest ceramic Buddha seat from the Eastern Han dynasty
Opening Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:00 PM, all year round
Admission: Free (some older websites still list ¥5, but entry is currently free)
Best Time to Visit: April, for lilac blossoms; allow 2–3 hours
Dress Code: Wear modest clothing; avoid loud behavior inside halls
How to Get There: Take Subway Line 4 or 7 to Caishikou Station, then walk from Exit Southwest
Fayuan Temple is more than a tourist stop – it is a living Buddhist site where rituals are still practiced. Visitors can witness festivals like the Buddha’s Birthday in April and the Ullambana Festival in July.
