China – Beijing – Chaoyang, Huairou and Yanqing

Here we shortly present monuments from the Chaoyang, Huairou and Yanqing regions of Beijing, China.

Chaoyang – Dongyue temple

The Temple of the Eastern Peak in Beijing is a Taoist temple in the Chaowai area, Chaoyang District, Beijing, China. The temple is dedicated to the Great Deity of the Eastern Peak. “Eastern Peak” is the cosmological name of Mount Tai, the easternmost and holiest of the Five Sacred Mountains of China. Founded during the Yuan dynasty, the Eastern Peak Temple is the largest temple of Zhengyi Taoism in Beijing and protected as a national cultural spot. The temple also hosts the Beijing Folk Customs Museum.

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The Eastern Peak Temple was founded in 1319.[1] Zhang Liusun (1248-1321), a Yuan dynasty official and descendant of the Daoist Zhang Daoling, raised money and acquired the land for the temple, but died shortly afterwards. His disciple, the Daoist master Wu Quanjie (1269-1346) continued the construction. In 1322, the main halls and the main gate were completed. The temple was repaired and given its present name in 1447 during the reign of the Zhengtong Emperor in the Ming dynasty. During the Qing dynasty, the temple was rebuilt twice, in 1698 during the reign of the Kangxi Emperor and again in 1761 during the reign of the Qianlong Emperor. The temple also underwent expansion during the Qing dynasty.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Dongyue_Temple)

Huairou – Hongluo Temple

Huairou District is situated in northern Beijing about 50 kilometers from the city center.

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The Hongluo Temple is one of the largest and most extensive Buddhist temples. It was first established during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 AD); however, it was rebuilt many times later, notably during the Ming Dynasty. The temple is located at the southern foot of the Hongluo Mountain, and covers an area of 7 hectares (17 acres). Its name, Hongluo Temple is also translated as Red Shells Temple.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hongluo_Temple)

Yanqing – Badaling Great Wall

Badaling is the site of the most visited section of the Great Wall of China, approximately 80 kilometres (50 mi) northwest of urban Beijing city in Yanqing District, which is within the Beijing municipality. The portion of the wall running through the site was built in 1504 during the Ming Dynasty, along with a military outpost reflecting the location’s strategic importance. The highest point of Badaling is Beibalou, approximately 1,015 metres (3,330 ft) above sea level.

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Badaling Great Wall was built in the Ming Dynasty (1505) to occupy a commanding and strategic position for protecting the Juyongguan Pass (Juyongguan section of the Great Wall) on its south, further protecting the city of Beijing.

(Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Badaling)

(Important Note: ALL photographs of this article added to the sourced texts by NovoScriptorium after kind courtesy of our friend Ben Lee – ALL photographs originally taken by Ben Lee)