Tan Zhe Temple is situated in Tan Zhe Hill of Beijing's Western Hills. Surrounded by nine peaks and secluded in the depth of forests, the temple boasts magnificent buildings and screen environment. An ancient saying The history of Tan Zhe Temple is earlier than that of Beijing testifies to the long history of the temple.
Tan Zhe Temple was built 1700 years ago in the Jin Dynasty. Its original name was Jia Fu Temple, meaning the temple of Auspicious Fortune. Throughout the Jin, Yuan, Ming and the successive dynasties, the Temple underwent renovations and changes of name. On the 31st year of the Emperor Kangxis reign in the Qing Dynasty (1692), it was renamed Xiu Yun Temple, which remained until today. As there are a Long Tan (or deep pool) at the back of the temple and Mulberries, the temple is usually called Tan Zhe Temple (Tan means deep pool and Zhe means the trees).
The building of Tan Zhe Temple consists of three parts. Along the middle road, which is also the central axis of the building, there are the Paifang (memorial archway), stone bridge, entrance door, Tian Wang Hall (the hall of kings in heaven), Da Xiong Hall, and Pi Lu Pavilion. Among them Da Xiong Hall has grand eaves and roof carved with huge colored glazed peak of a hawk. Along the eastern road is the abbot's courtyard, Yan Qing Pavilion, Yi Xuan Pavilion, Xing Gong Courtyard (the imperial place for short stays of an emperor away from the imperial palace) and Sheli Pagoda (the pagoda enriched with relic of a Buddha). In this area there lies Liu Bei Pavilion that boasts its unique architectural style in the Chinese history. The white marble base of the pavilion is carved with a zigzag gutter, which looks like dragons head from the south and tigers head from the north.
The western road is scattered with several halls and courtyards. At the northern end of the road is Guanyin Hall. Legend has it that Princess Miao Yan, daughter of Yuanshizu Hu Bilie (the first emperor of the Yuan Dynasty) spent her days worshipping Buddha in the hall. She was so devoted that day after day she left her footprints deep on the floor of the hall. Her sincerity is then widely praised by the following generations.
In Long Wang Hall (or the Dragon King Hall) there is a stonefish worshiped by numerous devout men and women.
In the temple there still exist many ancient rare trees such as gingkoes, the most famous of which is the divine emperor tree, mulberries, sal trees, cypress of a thousand years old as well as purple yulan magnolia and other flowers. Besides the temple proper other historic interests include Anle hall, courtyard with turrets, Guanyin Caves, Ming Wang Hall, Tiger Ting Jing Cave (the cave where a tiger listens to Buddhist scripture).
Tan Zhe Temple is one of the national key cultural relics. In 1997, it was restored as a place of religious activities, which reflects the policy of Ethnic Minorities and Religions set by the CPC (the Chinese Communist Party of China). It is a popular scenic spot and a proper place for appreciating the Buddhist culture.
