Temple of Azure Clouds / Biyun Si (Fragrant Hills - Beijing, China) - Buddhist Temples and Public Shrines on Waymarking.com

The Temple of the Azure Clouds is situated in the eastern part of the Fragrant Hills, just outside the north gate of Xiangshan (Fragrant Hills) Park. The temple buildings are on the gradually sloping hillside and, from the temples main gate at the foot of the hill to the highest point, rise almost 100 m

The temple was originally built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and was taken reconstruction during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The interior buildings almost retain the style of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) completely.

The Temple of the Azure Clouds was built on six different levels, and each of the interconnecting courtyards has a special character. The most famous buildings inside the temple, however, are the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, the Five Hundred Arhats Hall and the Vajra Throne Tower.

A stone-paved road leads from the front gate of Fragrant Hills Park directly to the entrance gate of the temple. The gate of Azure Clouds which is faced by the stone lions is called the Mountain Gate. A brook runs outside the temple and passes before the gate of the park. On both sides of this temple are two Buddhist guardians which were carved during the Ming Dynasty and each being five meters in height. Inside the first compound are the Bell Tower and Drum Tower, while in the center stands the Devaraja (Heavenly Kings) Hall, which houses a bronze image of Maitreya Buddha cast in the Ming Dynasty. A goldfish pond in this courtyard is surrounded by ancient sal trees, white-bark sandalwood trees and gingko trees.

Photos of the shrine are strongly encouraged when permitted otherwise please refrain from taking pictures inside and in any case, generally have respect for the religious nature of the site.