Cishou Temple in Beijing

Cishou Temple in Beijing

Cishou Temple Facts

On a beautiful summer's day in Beijing, having only ever seen the Cishou Temple at a distance, we decided to take a trip to see it up close. That proved to be a wise decision because as we would soon find out to really feel how imposing this pagoda you have to get as close to it as you can.

Chinese Name: 慈寿寺塔

Type: Temples & Culture

Address: Balizhuang (Eight Li Village) in Beijing's western suburbs

Best Seasons: All year round

Recommended Visiting Hours: about 2-3 hours

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Cishou Temple (慈寿寺) is located in Balizhuang, outside Fuchengmen, Haidian District, Beijing, approximately 4 kilometers from the city center. It was built in the fourth year of the Wanli era (1576) during the Ming Dynasty by Emperor Shen Zhong to celebrate the birthday of his mother, Empress Dowager Cisheng. The Cishou Temple Pagoda was originally named Yong’an Wanshou Pagoda and is situated within the temple grounds.

The temple’s foundation was once the site of the eunuch Gu Dayong during the Zhengde era of the Ming Dynasty. During the Guangxu era of the Qing Dynasty, the temple fell into disrepair, leaving only the solitary pagoda standing at the site of the temple ruins.

Why is Cishou Temple慈寿寺 so Special?

The pagoda was originally known as Yong’anwanshou Pagoda, the Chinese pagoda was built in the 16th century with stone and brick. Standing roughly 50m’s tall,this imposing octagonal-shaped pagoda has elaborate ornamental carvings, thirteen tiers of eaves and a small steeple. The temple was said to have been built in the Ming dynasty, and was commissioned by Empress Dowager Li during the Wanli reign.

Where is Cishou Temple?

Located in the Buddhist Cishou Temple of Balizhuang, in Beijing’s western suburbs stands this majestic Pagoda. It is conveniently located by the West Diaoyuti subway station which was built fairly recently.

History of Cishou Temple

This octagonal-shaped pagoda is roughly 50 m (164 ft) tall, with elaborate ornamental carvings, thirteen tiers of eaves, and a small steeple. The Cishou Pagoda was built in 1576 during the Ming dynasty (1368–1644), commissioned by Empress Dowager Li during the reign of the Wanli Emperor (1572–1620). The Cishou Pagoda was modelled upon a similar pagoda at Tianning Temple outside Guang’anmen in Beijing. The style of eaves on the pagoda is similar to older Liao dynasty and Jin dynasty pagodas. Although the surrounding Cishou Temple has been destroyed, the original Ming pagoda of Cishou has remained unharmed except for noticeable weathering damage to the carved reliefs on its exterior facade.

The brick base of the pagoda is shaped as a sumeru pedestal and is decorated with relief carvings of the Buddha, lotus petals, and other designs. The upper portion of the pagoda features carved designs of Chinese musical instruments such as the guqin. Stylistic dougong supports—commonly found in wooden Chinese architecture—are carved in between the eaves of the pagoda.

Structure and Layout of Cishou Temple

It is octagonal, solid, over fifty meters tall with thirteen tiers of eaves. The brick base is in the form of a Sumeru pedestal and is decorated with relief sculptures of Buddha, flying apsarases, vajra guardians, archways, lotus petals and the Eight Treasures. The most impressive ornamental sculptures on the upper part of the Sumeru pedestal are the musical instruments, including sheng, xiao, qin, se, yunban, gongs, drums and flutes. The refined carving depicts the rich variety of musical instruments of the Ming Dynasty and is very valuable.

The first storey of the pagoda is majestic, typical of the multi-eaved style of the Liao and Kin dynasties. A false arch decorates the four sides facing the four directions; the other four sides have false windows. Carved on the headpiece of the arches are cloud and dragon patterns. Sculptures of vajra guardians, made of clay over wooden frames, flank the arches. The windows are decorated with little statues of seated Buddha and cloud patterns. Relief sculptures of bodhisattvas flank the windows. Eight brick columns decorated with dragon patterns stand at the corners of the pagoda. The name of the pagoda — Yong’anwanshoo Pagoda — is inscribed on the stone headpiece of the southern arch. Thirteen levels of eaves rise above the first storey. The steeple is supported by a pedestal with ornamental lotus petals and surmounted by a precious bead, resembling Tianning Temple Pagoda.

Recommended Tours in Beijing

How to Get to Cishou Temple

Travel with ChinaDragonTours (top recommended)

If you want to get out of the traffic and hassle of navigation, you can book a private tour package that includes visiting, dining and transfer from us. Our local guide and driver will escort you to Cishou Temple in Beijing in the fastest and most convenient way and take care of all the details. You just have to focus on the visiting.

Useful Travel Tips

Hotels near Tower In Cishou Temple
(0.43 mi) Yulong International Hotel
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(0.6 mi) Ziyu Hotel (Zhongguan Road)
(0.34 mi) Beijing Guangdong Hotel
Restaurants near Tower In Cishou Temple
(0.24 mi) Jinmei Restaurant
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(0.26 mi) Cao Mao Yu
(0.27 mi) Li Chang Seafood Restaurant (XiBa LiZhuang)
(0.27 mi) LaoBing Juan DaiYu(FuCheng Road)