Zhaoxian Temple in Beijing
Overview
Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙), located at 71 Beichang Street (北长街), Xicheng District (西城区), Beijing (北京市), was originally built in the 10th year of the Yongzheng reign (雍正) (1732). It is primarily dedicated to the worship of the God of Thunder and is one of the Eight Outer Temples of Beijing. Currently, it serves as the site for Beichang Street Primary School (北长街小学).
Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) faces south, with its outer gate oriented east. The central axis features, from south to north, a shadow wall, mountain gate, bell and drum tower, front hall, central hall, and rear hall. Currently, only the shadow wall and rear hall remain. Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) is significant as the only royal temple dedicated to the God of Thunder in Beijing (北京市) during the Qing Dynasty, making it valuable for the study of Qing Dynasty royal rituals.
On May 24, 1984, Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) was designated as the third batch of municipal-level cultural relic protection units by the Beijing Municipal Government. On December 27, 2022, it was recognized as part of the second batch of immovable revolutionary cultural relics by the Beijing Cultural Relics Bureau.
Historical Development
- In the 10th year of the Yongzheng reign (雍正) (1732), Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) was established.
- During the Republic of China era, the Beijing Educational Association (北京教育会) was founded at Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙), with a covering room used as the teaching place of the renowned writer Lao She (老舍).
- From March 10 to April 15 in the 14th year of the Republic of China (民国) (1925), the National Assembly Promotion Meeting (国民会议促成会) was held at Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙).
- After 1949, Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) became the site of Beichang Street Primary School (北长街小学).
Architectural Layout
Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) faces south, with its outer gate directed east. The central axis features, from south to north, a shadow wall, mountain gate, bell and drum tower, front hall, central hall, and rear hall. Currently, only the shadow wall and rear hall remain.
Main Structures
- Shadow Wall (影壁)
The shadow wall is located at the southernmost part of Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙), approximately 22 meters long, 3.5 meters high, and 2 meters thick, topped with green glazed tiles. - Mountain Gate (山门)
Situated north of the shadow wall, the mountain gate spans three bays (11.2 meters) and is 6.25 meters deep, featuring green glazed tiles on a hip roof and decorated with colorful paintings. It was inscribed with “Imperially Built Zhaoxian Temple (敕建昭显庙),” but has since been lost. - Bell and Drum Tower (钟鼓楼)
Located on the north side of the mountain gate, the bell and drum tower has one room on each side, measuring 6.6 meters wide and deep. It featured a double-eaved yellow glazed tile roof and colorful decorations but no longer exists. - Front Hall (前殿)
The front hall is three bays wide (10.75 meters) and 5.95 meters deep, with a green glazed tile hip roof, but is no longer standing. - Central Hall (中殿)
Positioned north of the front hall, the central hall spans three bays (14.4 meters) and is 11.85 meters deep, originally topped with yellow glazed tiles and adorned with dragon motifs, but has since been lost. - Rear Hall (后殿)
The rear hall is located north of the central hall, measuring five bays (18.5 meters) wide and 8.45 meters deep, with yellow glazed tiles and decorative paintings, but is also no longer standing.
Historical and Cultural Significance
One of the Eight Outer Temples of Beijing
The Eight Outer Temples of Beijing (北京外八庙) encompass Xuanren Temple (宣仁庙), Ninghe Temple (凝和庙), Pudu Temple (普渡寺), Zhenwu Temple (真武庙), Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙), Wanshou Xinglong Temple (万寿兴隆寺), Jingmo Temple (静默寺), and Fuyou Temple (福佑寺), surrounding the Forbidden City (故宫).
From the Ming Dynasty (明朝) to the Kangxi era of the Qing Dynasty (清朝), emperors worshiped the gods of wind, rain, thunder, and clouds at the Temple of Heaven (天坛). However, during the Yongzheng period (雍正), due to frequent disasters attributed to thunder and clouds, Emperor Yongzheng (雍正帝) decided to separate the worship of these gods, resulting in the construction of four temples outside the Forbidden City (故宫), collectively referred to as the Eight Outer Temples of Beijing (北京外八庙).
National Assembly Promotion Meeting
The “National Assembly Promotion Meeting (国民会议促成会)” was held at Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) from March 10 to April 15 in the 14th year of the Republic of China (民国) (1925). This meeting, presided over by leftist factions of the Chinese Communist Party (中国共产党) and the Kuomintang (国民党), aimed to convene a national assembly and oppose warlord rule. This call for a national assembly was initially proposed by the Communist Party (中国共产党) in the 12th year of the Republic of China (民国) (1923). However, it faced resistance from Duan Qirui’s warlord government, leading to the necessity of the assembly meeting. The event was a success, promoting the struggle against imperialism and feudalism.
Cultural Relic Value
Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) is the only royal temple dedicated to the God of Thunder in Beijing (北京市) during the Qing Dynasty (清朝), making it important for the study of royal rituals from that period.
Protection Measures
On May 24, 1984, Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) was announced as a third batch municipal-level cultural relic protection unit by the Beijing Municipal Government. On December 27, 2022, it was recognized as part of the second batch of immovable revolutionary cultural relics by the Beijing Cultural Relics Bureau.
Tourism Information
Location
Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) is located at 71 Beichang Street (北长街), Xicheng District (西城区), Beijing (北京市).
Transportation
- Public Transport: You can take bus lines 5, Sightseeing Line 1, or Sightseeing Line 2 to get to Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙), getting off at Beihai North (北海北) or Xihuamen (西华门) stations.
- Driving: The distance from the Xicheng District Government (西城区人民政府) to Zhaoxian Temple (昭显庙) is approximately 4.1 kilometers, which takes about 15 minutes by car.
