Temple of Azure Clouds

The Temple of Azure Clouds (Chinese: ; pinyin: Bìyún Sì), is a Buddhist temple located in the eastern part of the Western Hills, just outside the north gate of Fragrant Hills Park (Xiangshan Gongyuan), in the Haidian District, a northwestern suburb of Beijing, China, approximately 20 km from the city center. It was built in the 14th century (possibly in 1331), during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and was expanded in 1748.

The temple, which is built on six different levels over an elevation of nearly 100 meters, is known for its fine scenery. The temple also includes the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which is located at the center of the temple complex. Two other prominent features are the Arhats Hall and the Vajra Throne Pagoda.

Inside Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall lies an empty crystal coffin presented by the USSR government in 1925 in memory of Sun Yat-sen (his body had already been buried in Nanjing). Photos of Sun Yat-sen, his handwriting, books and statue are also on display on two sides.

There are 512 statues, of which include 500 wooden Arhats, 11 Bodhisattvas and one statue of Ji Gong (a famous Buddhist monk) inside the Hall of Arhats. All the Arhats are vivid, life-size statues with different poses and expressions. It has been said that two of these Arhats were the statues of Emperor Kangxi and Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). In addition to these life-sized images, a miniature statue of Ji Gong perched on an overhead beam.

The magnificent Vajra Throne Pagoda is the highest building in the temple. This 35 meter-high tower with elegant decorations is a perfect observational position to view all the scenery of western Beijing [cite web|url= http://www.beijingtouree.com/index.php/beijing-attractions/city-spots/19-city-spots-rating/321-temple-of-azure-clouds |title= Temple of Azure Clouds|accessdate=2008-09-29 |last= |first= |authorlink= |coauthors= |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= BeijingTouree.com|pages= |language=English |archiveurl= |archivedate= |quote= ] .

Notes

External links

* [http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/beijing/biyun.htm Article about Temple of Azure Clouds]
* [http://www.flickr.com/photos/bibubl/301614293/#comment72157600402408216 Photo of Temple of Azure Clouds]