Religious site · BEIJING
Tanzhe Temple
潭柘寺 · Tánzhè Sì
About
1,700-year-old Buddhist temple in the western hills. Older than Beijing itself; 'Tanzhe before there was Youzhou' goes the saying.
Tanzhe Temple was founded in 307 CE during the Western Jin dynasty — predating Beijing's establishment by several centuries. The compound spreads up the side of a wooded mountain 45 km west of central Beijing, with multiple courtyards and the famous Emperor's Tree (a 1,000-year-old gingko). 'Tanzhe is older than Beijing' is a Beijing-native saying.
How to get there
Bus from Pingguoyuan metro; ~90 minutes total. Or driver.
When to visit
Spring or autumn. Combine with Jietai Temple nearby.
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