Baiyun Temple

Address: Baiyun Temple Street, Xibianmenwai, Xicheng District, Beijing Tickets: CNY 10 Opening hours: 8:30–16:00 (Oct 1–Apr 30) A famous Taoist temple in Beijing. It was first built in the 29th year of the Kaiyuan period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty (741) and was originally named Tianchang Temple. In the 27th year of the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty (1394), it was renamed Baiyun Temple. The temple faces south, with the main buildings arranged along the central axis, flanked by the east and west halls and the back garden. Tickets are purchased on site, and a box of incense is given after ticket verification. It is best to take a picture of the map at the entrance, otherwise you may get lost. Entering through the Lingxing Gate, there is a service department, and there are many talismans for sale at the entrance, which can be taken home. The white marble relief at the gate of the mountain has a small monkey, which has been touched so much that it has turned black. After passing the gate, there is also one on the inside of the east side of the stone stele. Only these two were found. On the west side, copper coins are sold, 10 yuan for 50, to hit the money eye at the mouth of the Wofeng Bridge culvert, which is a copper bell hanging from a wooden money hole. I like this kind of activity. I chose a position directly opposite the copper bell, and after hitting a few coins, I found that the copper coins were too light to hit, so I changed to hitting three coins at a time, and actually hit twice! The bell rings with good luck and good fortune! Along the central road, from the Lingguan Hall, the Jade Emperor Hall, the Laolu Hall, the Qiu Zu Hall to the Siyu Hall, incense is burned and blessings are prayed for all the way. The "Yingbo" in the Qiu Zu Hall was given by Emperor Qianlong, and the remains of Qiu Zu are hidden under the "Yingbo". In front of the Siyu Hall, there is a gilded copper tripod furnace with a total of 43 golden dragons. The shape is thick, exquisite, and imposing, and the dragon's head is polished bright. The second floor of the Siyu Hall is the Sanqing Pavilion. After worshiping the central road building, walk east from the Baoyuan Cave Mansion to the Cihang Hall and the Sanxing Hall. In front of the two halls, there is a large red fish hanging in front of the east side of the house, which can be touched. Walking north is the Zhenwu Hall, and the Luo Gong Tower is seen on the east side. Further north are the Leizu Hall and the Yunhua Xian Pavilion, which are not open. At this point, you have reached the northernmost point, and the east hall has been completed. Walking west past the medical hall, you will reach Xiaopenglai, which is a back garden, quiet and elegant. First, there is a unique small courtyard, with a high precept platform on the south side and a Yunji Mountain House on the north side, surrounded by a corridor with calligraphy and paintings on the walls. After passing through a rockery, you will reach another courtyard called Tuiju Building. A two-story building, fresh and quiet. After leaving Xiaopenglai and heading south, the Yuancheng Hall is on the left, and the Twelve Zodiac Wall is on the right, where you can touch your zodiac sign. Continue south, and there are halls on both sides, namely the Wenchang Hall, the Yuanjun Hall, the Lvzu Hall, and the Baxian Hall. Among the gray tiles, the green glazed tiles of the Lvzu Hall are particularly eye-catching. After coming out, I saw Shente, commonly known as "Copper Mule", a copper beast that looks like a steed. It is said that it can cure diseases. If you feel uncomfortable, just touch yourself first and then touch the corresponding part of the copper mule, and the disease will naturally be cured. Along the road back to the central road building, there are also the Yaowang Hall and the Caishen Hall on the west road hall that can be worshiped. If you have time, you can return to the east road to worship the Sanguan Hall and the Jiuku Hall. I always feel that there is something wrong with my route, of course, you can also worship these two halls together when worshiping on the central road. Baiyun Temple is large in scale and compact in layout. If you want to come to pray for blessings, I think you should leave at least half a day.