Biyun Temple

Biyun Temple was first built in the second year of Zhishun in the Yuan Dynasty (1331), and was originally named Biyun Temple. It has a history of more than 600 years. In the ninth year of Zhengde in the Ming Dynasty (1514) and the third year of Tianqi in the Ming Dynasty (1623), eunuchs Yu Jing and Wei Zhongxian successively expanded Biyun Temple, and Biyun Temple with Ming Dynasty architectural characteristics was basically formed. In the thirteenth year of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty (1748), Emperor Qianlong carried out a large-scale expansion of Biyun Temple, newly built Arhat Hall, Vajra Throne Pagoda and Shuiquan Courtyard, forming the current scale.

Biyun Temple is located in the north of Xiangshan Park. The whole temple is built against the mountain, facing west and east. The whole layout is based on six courtyards arranged on the central axis, with a group of courtyards in the north and south, covering an area of ​​more than 40,000 square meters. It is stacked up against the mountain and can be called the most beautiful temple in Xishan.

The first thing you see when you enter the courtyard is the Mountain Gate Hall. Inside the hall are two statues of Vajrapani, who are the guardians of the Buddhist temple gates, commonly known as the Two Generals Heng and Ha. Outside the hall are the bell tower and the drum tower on both sides.

The second courtyard is the Maitreya Buddha Hall, which houses a Ming Dynasty bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha.

The third courtyard is the Mahavira Hall, the main hall of Biyun Temple. The statues in the hall reflect the scene of Buddha Sakyamuni preaching.