White Cloud Temple was constructed in the 8th century to house the statue of Lao Tzu. This temple was originally known as the Tian Chang Temple. It was burnt down in 1202 but the statue was miraculously saved.
Reconstruction of the temple took place in 1224 under the order of Genghis Khan. The temple was then named the White Cloud Temple. Now it is one of the largest and oldest Taoist temples in China.
Taoist temples in China are not called temples but Guan which means observe. This is based on the Taoist belief that direct perception of nature and not theological or scholastic studies leads to understanding. Taoists visit this temple especially on full moon day.
You can find traditional image details including the two hidden monkeys exquisitely depicted on the front arches. Visitors find and touch the hidden monkeys as they believe that it is lucky to do so. At the busiest hours, you will find a long line of people waiting to touch the hidden monkeys.
Do not miss out the bridge that features the bells and the oversized Chinese coins. Purchase fake coins and throw them at the bells. If you hit the bell with a coin, you are considered to be lucky. White Cloud Temple is a must visit destination on your trip to Beijing.

Capital Art Museum is located on Chang’an Street western extension from where it commenced operation in the year 2005. This museum is known for its advanced technology, abundant exhibits and magnificent architecture. This large contemporary museum is a major landmark in Berlin frequented by thousands of tourists every year.

Harmoniously integrating past and present, this museum displays the rich cultural heritage of the country through art. Capital Art Museum is also an example of contemporary and classical architectural integration with its massive roof and national characteristics.

The roof especially is a standing example of overhang design of traditional Chinese architectural style. The ancient China city wall is depicted by the long stone curtain wall and ancient dias construction style is reflected in the gradient of the square. In front of the hall’s north gate, you can find Danbi, a stone carved with images such as phoenix and dragon.

You will enter the hall through the decorative archway that reflects the Ming Dynasty style. You will certainly be impressed with the generous usage of timbers, bronze and stone in the interior of the museum.

You can find unearthed historical heritages and past year collections on display here. Regular and temporary exhibitions are held here featuring fine contemporary and traditional artistic collections.

Emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties used to worship the constellation deities, especially the God of Moon on Autumn Equinox Day at the royal Temple of Moon. It was in 1955 that this temple was opened to the public as a leisure park.

Temple of Moon park is divided into two namely the south and north parks. At the north park, you can find several red brick ancient buildings with green roofs. Southern part of the park features rockeries, water, winding paths and lakes.

Moon altar is situated at the north park where you can also find other buildings such as Bell Tower, four halls, west and north gates and the four-quadrilateral pavilion. South Park is popular for its abundant natural beauty that includes bowery roads, artificial mountains and plenty of water.

This park is famous for the bonsai exhibition held throughout the year. You will find the Moon Goddess Chang’e sculpture at the pool where a waterfall drops. Beijing Children’s Hospital is located 250 meters from Nanlishi Road. This road is located to the south of the Temple of Moon.
Other popular attractions close to the Temple of Moon include the Baita Temple, Tianwang Hall, Dajue Hall, Qifo Hall, White Pagoda, Temple of Past Emperors and Guangii Temple.

Also known as the White Dagoba Temple, Miaoying Si is located in Beijing Municipality’s West District. The name White Dagoba originates from the spectacular and majestic white Dagoba standing in the temple. This is one of the two Dagoba in Beijing the other one located in Beihai Park.

The main feature of the Miaoying Temple is the White Dagoba. There are four halls that contain historically important artefacts such as classical Buddhist scriptures, lifelike Buddhist statues, flowery cassocks, five Buddha’s crowns, fabrics and a lot of other valuables.

Visitors are impressed by the cm high golden Dagoba Longevity Statue studded with 40 rubies. Another important attraction here is the Kwan-Yin Bodhisattva Statue made in bronze. This statue has thousand eyes and hands. Dagoba temple is where a lot of Buddhist scriptures were translated.
During the Yuan Dynasty, this was the imperial temple. Three days ahead of the actual ritual, all ceremonies used to be rehearsed at this temple. During the Qing Dynasty, many temple fairs were held here.

To the north of the temple is the White Dagoba designed by Anigo, the famous Nepalese architect. The Dagoba is a standing example of friendship between China and Nepal that existed during Yuan Dynasty. Today, it is protected by the Chinese State Department. Miaoying Temple and the White Dagoba are sure to leave you speechless and spell bound.

Guangji Temple is a popular tourist spots in China. Located in Xicheng District’s Inner Fuchengmen Street, this Buddhist temple today is the Chinese Buddhism Association headquarters. All major national Buddhist activities are conducted here.

Guangji Temple was constructed during the Jin Dynasty between 1115 and 1234. Successive dynasties made certain additions to it and the present version of the temple was completed between 1368 and 1644 during the Ming Dynasty.

Constructed over an area of 5,766 acres, the temple stands in all its glory. Some of the major structures here include the main gate, Mahavira Hall, Heavenly King Hall, Sutra Hall and the Buddhisattva or Yuantong Hall.

Connecting walls joint the three arched doors at the main gate. You will find all the doors decorated with colored glazed eaves. As you pass through the gate, you will come across the imposing and majestic Bell Tower and Drum Tower.

The Heavenly King Hall features Maitreya Buddha’s bronze statue. Maitreya Buddha in a seated position is guarded by four Heavenly Kings. You will find the Wheel of Dharma on the hall roof. This wheel signifies Buddha’s infinite power.

Mahavira Hall is located in the second courtyard. Do not miss out the bronze vessel in front of the hall made in 1793 during Qing Dynasty’s Emperor Qianlong’s regime. This 2 meter high vessel features Buddhism’s eight treasures namely the wheel, umbrella, spiral shell, vase, flower, canopy, knot and fish.

Yuangtong Hall is the third courtyard where you will find Buddhisattva’s residence. At the Sutra Hall, the fourth courtyard, you can find a rich collection of treasures and sutras. Here again, do not miss the precious sutras written in blood from the Ming and Song dynasties.

The Xishiku Cathedral is the most famous Catholic Church in Beijing. It was built in a Gothic style ornamented with gray marble facades. This beautiful Church is situated in the eastern part of Beihai Park and is surrounded by lovely trees and two Chinese pavilions.

Guo Moruo Memorial Hall was originally a courtyard where Guo Moruo, a highly talented dramatist, poet, archaeologist, historian and palaeographer lived for 15 years from November 1963 till his death.

This courtyard was used by the Qing Dynasty formerly as a prince’s garden between 1644 and 1911. In 1982, the courtyard was brought under state protection after being declared as an important cultural relic. In 1988, on Guo Moruo’s birthday, it was opened to the public and was named the Guo Moruo Memorial Hall.

Visit this hall and walk around the courtyard where Guo wrote many of his works including poems, monographs and theses. You will also find many of his books, manuscripts and documents preserved there.

Guo and his wife developed a beautiful garden here which still continues to flourish. You will find the gingko tree to the northern end of the lawn. According to Guo, gingko tree is a living monument to Chinese culture.

At the center of the lawn is a bronze statue of Guo. This statue was sculpted on his tenth death anniversary by a Central Academy of Fine Arts professor and a popular sculptor Situ Zhaoguang. Guo Moruo Memorial Hall is a popular tourist attraction you must not miss on your trip to Beijing.

The Palace of Prince Gong is one of the most luxurious and extravagant royal palaces in Beijing. The palace is surrounded by beautiful gardens and amazing buildings that represent typical Chinese architectural style, all of which are open to the public. On the Palace grounds you will find the Tea House, where you can not only witness a traditional Chinese tea ceremony, but also be a part of it.

Xu Beihong Memorial Hall is a popular art gallery dedicated to one of 20th Century’s famous Chinese painter Xu Beihong. During the 1966 Cultural Revolution, the painter’s residence which housed his original works was demolished. The memorial hall was then constructed off the road where he lived. This building is architecturally beautiful with its grey and green façade. It skillfully combines traditional and contemporary architectural styles.
As you enter the building you will find a statue of the artist Xu Beihong at the end of the forecourt. The silent hush of the gallery is definitely a welcome relief after the noisy ambience of other tourist spots.
Xu Beihong was inspired to paint by his father, himself a self taught but unsuccessful artist. he specialized in 19th century romanticism and realism and played a major role in popularizing Chinese art in Europe by holding many exhibitions.
Some of his popular paintings inspired by Western historical and classical mythological masterpieces include the Tian Heng and His Five Hundred Warriors and Waiting for Our Leader. Xu Beihong excelled in the art of commenting on current political situations using Chinese historical themes.
His smaller realist landscape and portraiture collection include the Foolish Old Man Who Removed the Mountains. Painted in 1940, this oil on canvas is a very impressive work of art. Periodically, the memorial hall houses exhibitions featuring works of other artists. In one of the rooms you will find photographs from Xu Beihong’s life and career.