Beijing and China Tour Expert
Home / China attraction / Beijing attraction /

Beijing Yunju Temple

  • Beijing Yunju Temple is a renowned Buddhist temple with a history spanning over 1,400 years. Known as the "Treasure House of Buddhist Sutras on Stone," it is famous worldwide for its massive collection of stone-carved Buddhist scriptures, ancient pagodas, and well-preserved Buddhist cultural relics.

Profile

  • ID : 248
  • City : Beijing
  • English name : Yunju Temple
  • Chinese name : 云居寺
  • Type :
  • Level : easy
  • Kids : possible
  • Elders: possible
  • Best season : All seasons
  • Visiting length : 1-2 hours
  • Distance to city center : 82 km

Introduction

    • Nestled in the picturesque Fangshan District of Beijing, Yunju Temple is not just another ancient temple. It is a UNESCO "Memory of the World" site renowned as the "Treasure House of Stone Sutras." For over a millennium, generations of monks dedicated themselves to the monumental task of carving the entire Buddhist canon onto stone slabs to preserve the teachings from potential destruction. This enduring project resulted in a breathtaking collection of over 14,000 stone sutra tablets, making Yunju Temple one of the most significant and unique Buddhist sites in China.

Helper to visit Yunju Temple

  • Address in English : Shuitou Village, Dashiwo Town, Fangshan District, Beijing
  • Address in Chinese : 北京市房山区大石窝镇水头村
  • Tel : 86-10-61389604
  • Post code : 102407
  • Ticket time : 9:00-16:30
  • Open time : 9:00-17:00
  • Closing time :
  • Location : Yunju Temple is around 82 km to downtown Beijing

    Transportation

    • Public bus: Take Bus No. F12, F19, F31 and get off at Yunjusi Station.
  • Private car is the best method to visit Yunju Temple with local tour operator.

Admission

  • high season : 40 RMB/person.
  • shoulder season : 40 RMB/person.
  • low season : 35 RMB/person.
  • cdm_note_web

    History

  • Yunju Temple’s history dates back to the Northern Qi Dynasty. Its development reached its peak during the Sui (581-618 AD) and Tang (618-907 AD) dynasties, thanks to the dedication of eminent monks like Jingwan. Monk Jingwan initiated the grand project of carving Buddhist sutras on stone to preserve the teachings, fearing their loss due to wars or disasters. This project continued for over 1,000 years, spanning more than 10 dynasties, resulting in one of the largest and most complete stone scripture collections in the world.

    During the Ming (1368-1644 AD) and Qing (1644-1912 AD) dynasties, the temple was renovated and expanded multiple times, enhancing its architectural scale and religious influence. Unfortunately, parts of the temple were damaged during wars in the early 20th century. However, since the founding of the People’s Republic of China, extensive restoration work has been carried out to protect and revitalize this cultural treasure, making it accessible to the public today.

Question or Comment



  • Email:

    • Captcha:

      Architecture

    • Yunju Temple features a classic Chinese Buddhist temple layout, with buildings arranged symmetrically along a central axis, reflecting the traditional "axisymmetric" design concept of Chinese architecture. The main structures include:
      Mountain Gate (Shanmen): The entrance of the temple, guarded by stone statues of Vajra warriors, symbolizing the protection of the Buddhist Dharma.

      Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tianwangdian): Housing statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, each representing a different virtue (kindness, generosity, patience, and diligence).

      Main Buddha Hall (Daxiongbaodian): The core building of the temple, enshrining statues of Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha, with exquisite carvings and murals on the walls.

      Sutra Library: Storing a large number of ancient Buddhist scriptures, including both handwritten and printed versions, in addition to the famous stone sutras.

      Ancient Pagodas: The temple complex includes several well-preserved pagodas, such as the Tang Dynasty "Sutra-Preserving Pagoda" (Jingcang Ta) and the Five-Dynasty "Lotus Pagoda" (Lianhua Ta), showcasing the evolution of Chinese pagoda architecture over centuries.

      The architectural style of Yunju Temple combines grandeur and elegance, with red pillars, yellow glazed tiles, and intricate wood carvings, all typical of traditional Chinese temple architecture. The integration of natural landscapes (such as surrounding mountains and pine forests) with man-made structures further enhances its serene and sacred atmosphere.

    Toolkits

      Main Attractions

    • Stone-Carved Buddhist Sutras

      The stone sutras of Yunju Temple are its most precious treasure. With over 14,278 stone slabs carved with Buddhist scriptures, covering more than 3,572 volumes and 112,000 characters, they are known as the "Stone Library of Buddhism." The most famous ones are stored in the "Sutra Grottoes" (Jingku) on Shijing Mountain near the temple, as well as in the underground palace of the temple. These stone slabs have survived for over a millennium, providing invaluable materials for the study of Buddhist history, Chinese calligraphy, and stone carving art.

      Tang Dynasty Sutra-Preserving Pagoda

      Built in the Tang Dynasty, this 30-meter-high brick pagoda is one of the earliest and best-preserved pagodas in the Beijing area. Its unique octagonal shape and delicate carvings on the exterior make it a masterpiece of Tang Dynasty pagoda architecture. The pagoda was originally used to store important Buddhist scriptures and relics, and its structure has remained stable for over 1,200 years, demonstrating the advanced architectural technology of the Tang Dynasty.

      Buddhist Relic Exhibition Hall

      The exhibition hall displays a wide range of cultural relics unearthed from Yunju Temple, including ancient bronze Buddha statues, porcelain artifacts, handwritten sutras, and ritual tools. These relics span multiple dynasties, providing visitors with a comprehensive understanding of the temple’s religious and cultural development over the centuries.

      Shijing Mountain Scenic Area

      Adjacent to Yunju Temple, Shijing Mountain (Stone Scripture Mountain) is where the earliest stone sutras were carved. Visitors can hike up the mountain to explore the 9 ancient grottoes, including the "Leiyin Grotto" (Thunder Sound Grotto) which houses a 10-meter-high stone Buddha statue. The mountain is also covered with ancient pine trees and offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, making it a perfect spot for both cultural exploration and nature appreciation.

    About Us
    Theme
    China City Tour
    Copywright
    Contact Us