TanZhe Temple (TanZhe Si)
Situated in the Western Hills, this Buddhist temple lies 45km west of Beijing. The temple name means ‘Dragon Pool and Mulberry Tree Temple’, due to its proximity to the Dragon Pool and the trees growing in the surrounding hills.
Although its name has changed on numerous occasions, it dates back to the Western Jin dynasty (265 – 316). A local saying on the sign confirms its history: “First there was TanZhe, and after there was YuZhou.” YuZhou is an ancient name for Beijing.
Covering an area 41,600 sq meters, this temple is the largest in the area and one of the oldest. The greenery of the surroundings is spectacular, especially in the spring when the fruit trees are in blossom. There are also lush bamboo gardens.
Most of the buildings are in typical Ming and Qing style architecture. The temple primarily comprises of the Hall of Abstinence, the Ordination Altar and the Hall to GuanYin.
In the main courtyard on the central axis is a pair of towering and majestic 30m high ginkgo trees (the ‘Emperor and Empress’), supposedly planted in the Tang dynasty (618-907) or perhaps Liao Dynasty (916 – 1125), as well as several apricot trees, cypresses, peonies and purple jade orchids. The ‘Emperor Tree’ was christened the “King of Trees” by Emperor QianLong. “The Emperor’s Wife” is supposed to produce a new branch every time a new emperor is born.
The complex is extensive, and is said to have provided a model for the layout of the Forbidden City. Above and to the right of the main courtyard lies a rare stupa yard (TaYuan), with stone monuments built in different styles over a period of several centuries and housing the remains of eminent monks.
The Hall to GuanYin (Goddess of Mercy), at the top of the western axis, is associated with princess MiaoYan, daughter of Kublai Khan. Legend has it that the princess entered the nunnery here in the 13th century. Within the hall, indentations can be found in the stone on which she always knelt to pray in her devotion to GuanYin. It is said that she was buried within the temple compound and a statue of her is on display here.
