White Cloud (Baiyun) Taoist Temple in Beijing
Chinese Name: 白云观
English Name: White Cloud Temple
Type:Temple, Chinese traditional culture & Daoism culture
Best Time: All Year Around
Recommended Visiting Hours: 1-3 hour
Opening Hours: 08: 30-16: 30 (January 1-December 31, Monday-Sunday)
Ticket:10 RMB for ticket
Location: Bai Yun Guan Street, Xibianmen, Xicheng District, Beijing
Why is White Cloud Temple so special?
White Cloud Temple is a famous Taoist temple in Beijing and the ancestral hall of the Taoist Quanzhen Sect. When you come here, you can visit ancient Taoist buildings, worship incense, and experience unique activities such as touching stone monkeys and making money to pray for yourself and your loved ones. Every year during the Spring Festival, temple fairs are held in White Cloud Temple. At that time, there will be many performances of traditional arts, as well as small items and snacks with the flavor of old Beijing. It will be very lively and you can visit here.
History of White Cloud Temple
White Cloud Temple was first built in 739 and officially renamed White Cloud Temple in 1443. After that, it was abandoned for a long time. After the founding of New China, the government allocated funds to repair it and gradually opened it to the public. In 2001, White Cloud Temple, as an ancient building in Qing Dynasty, was approved by the State Council to be included in the list of national key cultural relics protection units.
Main Attractions in White Cloud Temple
White Cloud Temple sits facing south and is divided into four parts: the middle, east and west roads and the backyard.
Zhaob is also known as shadow wall, is located in front of the view, facing the archway. On the wall are embedded the four characters “Changchun of All Ages”, written by Zhao Mengfu, a great calligrapher of the Yuan Dynasty.
The hall of spiritual officials worships the Taoist protector Wang Lingguan. The statue is carved in Ming Dynasty wood and is about 1.2 meters high, with a moderate proportion and exquisite shape.
The Treasure Temple consecrates three God of Wealth, with Bi Gan, Wen God of Wealth, on the left, Zhao Gongming, Wu Caishen, and Guan Yu, Wu Caishen, on the right.
Yunji Garden is at the back of White Cloud Temple. In the center of the garden is the altar, where commandments and rules are taught, and Yunji Hall where Taoist sutras are preached.
How to Get There
- Take bus 26, 45, 80, 320, or Te 19, and then get off at Baiyunguan Station.
- Take bus 9, 26, 40, 47, 50, 80, 339, Te 14 or Yuntong 102, and then get off at Tianningsi Qiaoxi Station. After that, walk south for about 5 minutes to the temple.
Nearby Attractions
Capital Museum: It shows Beijing’s 3,000-year history of city construction and 800-year history of capital construction. It is mainly divided into basic exhibition halls and special exhibition halls.
Xidan commercial street: Xidan is a commercial block in Xicheng District of Beijing. Xidan’s shopping center focuses on youth and fashion elements, thus attracting many young people to go there.
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