Pudu Temple in Beijing

Overview

Pudu Temple普度寺, located at 35 Puqing Qianxiang (普庆前巷), Dongcheng District (东城区), Beijing (北京市), was originally the site of the Yuan Dynasty Taiyi Altar. During the Ming Dynasty, it served as part of the Hongqing Palace, the former residence of the Crown Prince. Initially named the Eastern Garden of the Imperial City, it was also known as “Little Nancheng.” Covering nearly 10,000 square meters, it was the residence of the Crown Prince and later became the residence of the regent Dorgon (多尔衮) in the early Qing Dynasty. After the royal palace was abolished, Emperor Kangxi (康熙) ordered its reconstruction as a Maha Gala Temple, one of the royal temples surrounding the Forbidden City.

In the 33rd year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1694), the Maha Gala Temple was rebuilt. In the 41st year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1776), it was granted the name Pudu Temple. The main structures still standing include the Mountain Gate Hall and the main hall, with the latter inscribed “Ciji Hall,” a calligraphy by Emperor Gaozong (高宗).

On May 24, 1984, the main hall of Pudu Temple was designated as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government. On March 5, 2013, it was recognized as a key national cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Historical Development

• In the 33rd year of Emperor Kangxi’s reign (1694), an order was issued to convert the old Prince Rui’s (睿亲王) residence into Maha Gala Temple.
• In the 40th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1755), the temple underwent another expansion.
• In the 41st year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign (1776), it was officially named Pudu Temple.
• From the late Qing Dynasty to the Republic of China era, Pudu Temple was used by the military and other institutions, with only the Mountain Gate, main hall, and abbot’s courtyard being well-preserved.
• After the founding of the People’s Republic of China, part of the site was used as a primary school, and many residences were constructed around it.
• Between 2002 and 2003, the government invested in relocating the primary school and residents, fully restoring the foundation, main hall, mountain gate, and the north room of the abbot’s courtyard, while the remaining structures were filled in and landscaped as a public space.
• On May 16, 2007, the Beijing Tax Museum opened in Pudu Temple, becoming China’s first specialized museum established by a provincial-level tax department.
• In 2009, the museum temporarily closed due to preservation needs of the cultural relics at Pudu Temple.
• On May 8, 2011, the Beijing Sanpin Art Museum was established at Pudu Temple.

Architectural Layout

Pudu Temple was originally grand in scale, built on a high brick platform averaging about 3 meters high, surrounded by walls. This platform served as the base for part of the Ming Dynasty’s Chonghua Palace. The main structures still extant include the Mountain Gate Hall and the main hall.

The Mountain Gate Hall has been renovated, with half of its roof tiles newly replaced in green and the other half remaining yellow to showcase the historical contrast. Inside, there are portraits of Qing Dynasty emperors and generals, including Dorgon.

The main hall, named “Ciji Hall,” was originally inscribed with “Jue Hai Ci Hang” by Emperor Qianlong. The hall is tall and majestic, constructed in brick and wood, situated on a high platform made of white marble, topped with yellow glazed tiles with green edges. The main hall spans nine bays wide and three bays deep, with the center projecting outwards.

Features

The entire temple complex includes surrounding corridors. The main hall has a single-eaved hip roof, adorned with decorative details. The hall’s interior features well-preserved murals, showcasing gold dragons and high-ranking symbols, likely remnants from the period of Prince Rui.

Cultural Relics

Inside the Mountain Gate Hall, the colorful paintings are in good condition and reflect a high artistic level, believed to be relics from the Prince Rui’s era. A pair of stone relics was discovered, designed by landscape experts as a fountain, placed in the outer garden of the temple. During repairs, an unusually structured Ming Dynasty construction was uncovered within the hall, buried under uncompressed fill, consisting of twelve carved stones and brick arches, the name and purpose of which remain a historical mystery.

Value of Cultural Relics

Pudu Temple originated from the Crown Prince’s palace, witnessing the tumultuous stories of the Ming Dynasty’s Emperor Yingzong (英宗) and Dorgon, and solidified as a Lama temple during the prosperous Kangxi and Qianlong eras, making it an essential reference for studying the historical culture of the time.

Protection Measures

• On May 24, 1984, the main hall was listed as a municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the Beijing Municipal People’s Government.
• On March 5, 2013, it was recognized as a key national cultural relic protection unit by the State Council of the People’s Republic of China.

Tourism Information

Location

Pudu Temple is located at 35 Puqing Qianxiang (普庆前巷), Dongcheng District (东城区), Beijing (北京市).

Transportation

Public transport options to Pudu Temple in Beijing include bus routes 84, 104, 106, 108, 110, 111, 116, 128, and night buses 10 (内环), 10 (外环), 18, and 21.