Badachu

The Badachu (Simplified Chinese: 八大处; Traditional Chinese: 八大處; pinyin: Bā Dàchǔ; also called Badachu Park; 八大处公园), meaning "Eight Great Sites," refers to the eight Buddhist temples and monasteries scattered across the Cuiwei, Pingpo, and Lushi hills in the Shijingshan District, at the foot of Beijing's Western Hills Scenic Area. Located along the outskirts of Beijing, it was restored during the 1980s and has since become a famous tourist destination. There are a total of eight former Buddhist temples and monasteries in Badachu Park. These are the Temple of Eternal Peace (Chang'ansi), the Temple of Divine Light (Lingguangsi), Three-hill Nunnery (Sanshan'an), the Temple of Great Mercy (Dabeisi), the Temple of Dragon Spring Nunnery (Longquan'an), the Temple of Fragrant World (Xiangjiesi), The Cave of Precious Pearl (Baozhudong), and Zhengguo Temple.

Badachu Park is an attractive place to visit all year round. It has a pleasant temperate climate, remaining cool in summer and warm in winter. Visitors can stroll from one temple to another, enjoying the beautiful scenery and admiring the arbor and rare ancient trees. Some of these trees have been standing for over 6 centuries, but their roots and branches are still strong and in good shape. In September and October, when the leaves are turning red, crowds of tourists come to climb the mountains. There is a cable-car to the top of the hill.

External links

* [http://www.china.org.cn/english/features/beijing/31172.htm The Eight Great Temples in the Western Hills (Badachu)]