Honglu Temple, Huairou District, Beijing

⭐ 4.80

Honglu Temple Scenic Area, No. 2 Honglu East Road, Huairou Town, Huairou District, Beijing

Honglu Temple, Huairou District, Beijing
With a history spanning more than 1,600 years, Honglu Temple is one of the cradles of Buddhism in northern China. Since its founding in the Eastern Jin Dynasty, it has been expanded and renovated through successive dynasties, with its incense burning never ceasing. The temple faces south, with Honglu Mountain at its back and the plains stretching to the south, a location that combines the purity of a Buddhist sanctuary with the elegance of mountain scenery, earning it a long-standing reputation as the foremost monastery of northern China. The temple's architecture blends the legacy styles of the Tang and Song dynasties, with grand and austere halls. The Mahavira Hall is solemn and majestic, and in front of it stand two ancient ginkgo trees—a male and a female—which blaze golden in autumn and are known as the "husband-and-wife trees." One of the three wonders, the Imperial Bamboo Grove was planted during the Yuan Dynasty; ten thousand verdant bamboos remain green throughout the year, exuding pure tranquility. Another wonder, the Wisteria Embracing the Pines, is famous for an eight-hundred-year-old pine entwining two wisteria vines; when the flowers bloom in early summer they drape the trees like a mantle of purple clouds, a truly remarkable sight. Culturally, Honglu Temple is renowned for the efficacy of its prayers. Legend holds that wishes for love and children are particularly potent here. On the mountaintop, the Guanyin Temple houses thirty-three statues representing Guanyin's various manifestations, and pilgrims ascend the "Guanyin Path" step by step in an atmosphere of profound devotion. Free incense is provided within the temple, allowing visitors to light incense and pray as they wish, experiencing the solemnity and Zen spirit of this ancient sanctuary. The scenic area is a national AAAA-rated tourist site, open daily from 8:30 to 17:30 (last entry at 16:00), year-round. Adult tickets are 54 yuan, with half-price or free admission for students and seniors. Inquiries: 010-60681175. Visitors are advised to check current conditions before setting out. A visit of three to four hours is recommended. From the mountain gate, first admire the three wonders, then climb to the Guanyin Temple. Those with good stamina can hike up on foot (about a thousand stone steps); for convenience, you can ride the forest slide (about 100 yuan round trip). Summer offers cool retreats in the bamboo grove, while autumn is the prime season for the ginkgo trees. Wear non-slip footwear for the climb and remember sun protection and hydration.

Traveler reviews

It was so hot that we only stayed an hour with the kids. The environment is really beautiful, but it's already run as a tourist attraction — we didn't see a single monk, just staff in shirt uniforms. Each hall has free incense you can take. The thousand-year-old ginkgo and pine trees intertwined with wisteria, plus the murals and Buddha statues — this place has real history, worth a visit. Unfor...
⭐ 4 · Robin Hayes Expand
About ten kilometers from Huairou city center. They say it's very effective for praying for love, the scenery is beautiful, and the temple has a strong sense of history. There's also a greenhouse with flow...
⭐ 5 · Jamie Cole Expand