A popular tourist destination the eight great temples, 17 km outside Beijing are a complex of temples, monasteries and nunneries set amongst the wooded hills of Cuiwei, Lushi and Pingpo to the west of Beijing. A place of historic interest as well as scenic beauty the temples have been visited by the curious and the devout throughout the ages.
The 16th century Ming Dynasty Temple of Eternal Peace is on Cuiwei hill. Some of the items of interest here are the statue of Guan Yu worshipped as a temple guardian and two bronze bells, one cast in the 16th century and the other an urn shaped one said to have been cast during the Yuan Dynasty.
Also on Cuiwei hill is the Temple of Divine Light constructed in the 12th century and rehabilitated during the Ming Dynasty. Destroyed in the Opium Wars of the 19th century, the only original feature that remains is the goldfish pond. A 13 storey pagoda was constructed at the site in 1956 when some monastery buildings were also restored.
Close to the Temple of Divine Light is the three hill convent or Sanshan, a small exquisite building located in a wooded area overlooking pine covered hills where visitors can take refuge to escape the heat of summer.
The Temple of Great Mercy or Dabei located near the three hill convent is well known for a rare species of bamboo found on the temple premises that remains green even in winter; as well as rockeries, fragrant plants and miniature landscapes. The temple is also well known for the wooden statues of the eighteen arahats said to have been carved during the Yuan Dynasty.
The Longquan or Temple of the Dragon Spring built during the Qing Dynasty is located to the northwest of the Temple of Great Mercy. It is known for the spring running through the premises, the luxuriant foliage surrounding the site, the beautiful views and the attractive pavilions.
The temple on Pingbo hill, Xiangjie or the Temple of the Fragrant World is the largest of the eight temple complexes. It is said to have been originally built during the Tang Dynasty. The current temple is said to have been built in the 18th century. Polychrome statues of Kasyapa, Sakyamuni and Maitreya, past and future Buddhas flanked by statues of the 18 arahats are found here. The location offers beautiful views west of Beijing.
Baozhu Cave, the cave of the precious pearl is located at the highest point of the temple complex and on clear days visitors can see the city of Beijing laid out before them.
On Lushi hill is the Zhengguo Temple, the last of the eight great temples in the shadow of a large overhanging rock. Visitors can enjoy the rockeries in the temple courtyard depicting hills and marvel at the two metre high bronze bell and the beautiful surroundings. Its Ming Dynasty origins are shown by the remains of ancient buildings at the site.
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