After a stint of over several centuries as the capital of China, and an even longer record of over two thousand years as a city, Beijing has earned the rights to boast about its heritage. But the ancient buildings of the city need no special advertising as their own grandeur and beauty is attraction enough for any visitor. Among these ‘must-see’ sights are the temples of Beijing, built by numerous emperors and worshiped through the ages.
The most important, and undeniable favourite, is the Temple of Heaven, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Embodying the harmony between heaven and earth, the rectangular park is topped with the circular three gabled Hall of Prayer of Good Harvest. Over 600 years old, but perfectly preserved through the ages, the grounds of the temples were a place where the emperor would gather with his people to pray for a plentiful harvest. The dark blue tiles of the roofs of the building are said to represent the skies and seasons and the solar system are represented in its pillars.
Considered one of the most beautiful temples in China, is the Yonghe Temple, popularly called the ‘Lama temple’. This Tibetan style monastery was almost destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, but was saved by the Prime Minister’s intervention. The deep red pillars that hold up the five main halls join the ornately decorated roofs and balconies of the complex. A 26 metre statue of the Maitreya Buddha that is carved out of a single log of white sandalwood, a red sandalwood carving of precious metal statues of the arhats, and three bronze figures of the Buddhas of Three Ages are just a few of the grand artworks that are preserved here.
Striking a beautiful pose in pure white against the greenery of the Xiangshan Park is the Vajorasana Pagoda of the Temple of Azure Clouds. A bit farther away from the city, the buildings of the temple complex sit on several levels of a steep hill, and offer stunning views of the park around it. Beijing also holds the second largest Temple of Confucius in Dongcheng, a relatively less ornate building complex that is surrounded by peaceful surroundings created by old Juniper and Cypress trees. Generations of scholars’ names are recorded on a stone in front of the structure; a fascinating and personal look into history.
The wonders of Beijing cannot be taken in a day and many long stay travellers may prefer the serviced apartments in Beijing as an alternative to hotels. With the privacy and comfort of a home but the convenience and amenities of a hotel, Luxury Serviced Residence Beijing is great for business stays for a long duration or a family looking to rent an apartment Beijing.
Chandrishan Williams is a travel writer who writes under the pen name, Caleb Falcon. He specializes in writing content based on the many exciting world adventures that await intrepid travellers.
Google+