Dajue Temple

Dajue Temple Introduction

Introduction
Dajue Temple, or the Temple of Enlightenment, stands at the foot of Yangtai Hill in Beijing's western suburbs. The rolling hills here are sometimes said to resemble a sleeping lion. The vista of two flanking temples, the Lotus Temple and the Temple of Universal Grace-sitting atop Hills to the west and east of the Temple of Enlightenment, is popularly described as "A lion Rolling Two Embroidered Balls" or "A Buddha and Two Bodhisattvas." The principal structures in the temple are the Maitreya (Future Buddha) Hall, the main hall, the rear hall, the northern and southern courtyards and, at the very rear of the complex, a peaceful courtyard. The roof brackets and columns of the halls date from the early Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). A mountain spring flows by the Qiyun (Restful Clouds) Pavilion in the rear courtyard. By the spring is a stupa which stands at the highest point in the temple complex.

Dajue Temple Features

Highlights
Inside the temple is a Liao Dynasty (916-1125) stela o­n which it is recorded that, more than 1,000 years ago, the temple was named the Clear Stream Court after the nearby springs. Although the carving is blurred and the stela itself broken into two pieces, most of the inscription remains legible. There are a number of interesting sights in the immediate vicinity. They include Vulture Peak; the tomb of a Qing prince; Yang Family Garden and Lotus Temple and the Temple of Universal Grace. All are accessible by mountain roads. Minghui Tea House is located in the temple and offers a tea service with Taoist features. Dajue Temple is best known for its Yulan trees, planted almost 300 years ago. The finest being the magnolias.
It is said that a monk brought two of the specimens found in the southern courtyard from Sichuan during the Qianlong era, and o­ne of them survives today. Another magnolia in the northern courtyard was transplanted about 100 years ago, and grows alongside a ginkgo tree. The ancient tree usually blossoms around the April 5 every year, during the traditional Chinese Everbright Festival. Recently some mountain villas were built near the temple to provide a dining, entertainment and accommodation service for visitors to the temple.

Dajue Temple Tickets

Dajue temple fee and Opening hours
Admission 10yuan in low season, 20yuan in busy season
Opening hours 8:00-17:00

Dajue Temple Transporation

Traffic
Contact number 010-62456163
Bus 346,633 to Wenquan station