Tianqing Temple Site in Beijing

Overview

The Tianqing Temple Site (天庆寺旧址, Tiānqìng Sì Jiùzhǐ) is located on Dongxiaoshi Street (东晓市街, Dōngxiǎoshì Jiē) in the Chongwen District (崇文区, Chóngwén Qū) of Beijing, China. It is situated adjacent to the South Medicine King Temple (南药王庙, Nán Yàowáng Miào) to the east and south. Originally, this site was known as Shuǐtài Temple (水泰寺, Shuǐtài Sì) from the Liao Dynasty (辽代, Liáodài).

Historical Significance

In the ninth year of the Yuan Dynasty (元代, Yuándài), specifically in 1272, the temple underwent reconstruction. During this process, an abandoned bell was discovered, inscribed with the characters “Tianqing” (天庆, Tiānqìng). Historical research confirmed that “Tianqing” was a reign title from the Liao Dynasty, which led to the temple being named accordingly.

A stone plaque inscribed with “Tianqing Chanlin” (天庆禅林, Tiānqìng Chánlín) was later embedded in the temple walls by subsequent generations.

Current Status

The former site of Tianqing Temple has now been repurposed as the Tiantan Youth Center (天坛少年之家, Tiāntán Shàonián Zhījiā).