Huangsi Temple in Beijing

Huangsi Temple in Beijing

Huangsi Temple Facts

The Huangsi Temple or, as it is also called, the Yellow Temple is a Buddhist temple complex consisting of two constructively identical halls. It is located about three kilometers from the center of Beijing. The name of the temple was due to the yellow glazed tile covering the roof.

Chinese Name: 北京黄寺

Type: Temples

Address: Huangsi Main Street, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100120, China

Best Seasons: All year round

Recommended Visiting Hours: about 2-3 hours

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Why is Huangsi Temple so Special?

The Huangsi Temple or, as it is also called, the Yellow Temple is a Buddhist temple complex consisting of two constructively identical halls. It is located about three kilometers from the center of Beijing. The name of the temple was due to the yellow glazed tile covering the roof.

Where is Huangsi Temple?

The Yellow Temple (Huangshi) is situated in the Andingmen area, about three kilometers north of downtown Beijing.

History of Huangsi Temple

In 1644, Shunzhi Emperor established the Qing dynasty (1644–1911) in Beijing. In order to deal with military and political affairs, he invited the 5th Dalai Lama to Beijing in 1651. Shunzhi Emperor issued the decree building the temple as the residence for the 5th Dalai Lama.

In 1780, after the Parinirvana of the 6th Panchen Lama, Qianlong Emperor ordered to built a white pagoda to commemorate him. The construction completed in 1982, Qianlong Emperor named it “Qingjing Huacheng Pagoda” (清净化成塔).

Xihuang Temple was devastated by the combined armies of the English and French during the Second Opium War in 1860. Forty years later in 1900, the Eight-Nation Alliance ransacked Xihuang Temple during the Invasion of Beijing.In 1908, the 13th Dalai Lama lived here for almost three months.

Main Attractions of Huangsi Temple

The temple compound is divided into the East and West Yellow Temples. The walls and gates of the two are identical in construction, though their interiors vary somewhat. Yellow refers to the color of the glazed tiles on the roofs.

The East Yellow Temple, known as the Temple of Universal Purity (Pujingchanlin), was built for the Living Buddha Naomuhan in 1651 during the reign of the Qing Emperor Shunzhi.

The West Yellow Temple, called the Temple of the Dalai Lama (Dalaimiao), was built one year later as a residence for the Fifth Dalai Lama when he made a visit to the capital. On the day the Dalai Lama arrived, Emperor Shunzhi was away on a hunting excursion in the Nanyuan game reserve, yet he still received the Dalai Lama’s tribute of horses. The following day, the Dalai Lama moved into the West Yellow Temple and remained there until his departure the following tear.

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How to Get to Huangsi 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 Huangsi 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.

Independent Traveler

Bus 406 380 get off at xihuangsi north station and go west along Huangsi Street.

Useful Travel Tips 

  1. Temples in Beijing

    The capital of the People’s Republic of China, Beijing has been for more than eight centuries. Since the beginning of the XV century, the city began the active construction of temples and palaces. Many of these ancient structures have survived to this day and have become popular tourist sites.

    The Temple of Heaven, personifying the unity of Earth and Heaven, is located in the south-east of the capital and remains one of the most visited places by tourists. In 2020, it will celebrate its 600th anniversary. It was built during the Ming Dynasty for the annual solemn prayer dedicated to the winter solstice. Thus, the emperor, as a messenger of heaven, maintained contact with the higher powers.

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Edited by Bella Ren/任新月