Jietai Temple Travel Guide

Jietai Temple, officially named Wanshou Zen Temple, also known as Jietan Temple, is located on Ma'anshan in Mentougou District, Beijing. It was founded during the Kaihuang period of the Sui Dynasty and is the most complete and abundant repository of Liao Dynasty relics in northern China. Jietai Temple is built according to the mountain terrain, facing east from the west, and consists of two routes, north and south. The southern route contains the main buildings, from east to west including the Mountain Gate, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Hall of Heavenly Kings, Garan Hall, Patriarch Hall, Mahavira Hall, Thousand Buddha Pavilion, Guanyin Hall, and the Hall of Nine Immortals. The ticket price is 45 yuan, which can be purchased online in advance. It is highly recommended to experience a vegetarian meal in the temple, which is very affordable at 20 yuan per person. The Great Vegetarian Hall starts serving meals at 11:30, and after 12:30, only mushroom vegetarian noodles are available for 30 yuan per person, with a rich and savory broth that is satisfying. Please note that silence is observed in the dining hall, each person takes a number and sits in line waiting for their meal. In addition to a large number of precious ancient buildings and cultural relics, Jietai Temple also has hundreds of famous ancient trees, with the most renowned being the Embracing Pagoda Pine, Wulong Pine, Jiulong Pine, Moving Pine, and Free Pine, collectively known as the Five Pines of Jietai. Walking in Jietai Temple, one can trace the footsteps of history everywhere, and also hang a prayer ribbon on the ancient pines next to the Ming King Hall, praying for happiness and well-being. For those who like hiking, you can take the mountain trail next to the parking lot, which surrounds the temple and overlooks Qianling Mountain. Those who simply want to relax and worship Buddha are advised to enter directly through the main gate for a different scenery and state of mind. Lastly, Jietai Temple was also a filming location for the TV series 'Empresses in the Palace'. I recognized two familiar scenes at Jietai Temple; one is where the Emperor visits Zhen Huan at Ganlu Temple, with the staircase he walks on located at the entrance of the Hall of Nine Immortals; the other is where Zhen Huan is punished with 20 planks, which was filmed at the main gate of Jietai Temple. Fans of the show can check in here.