‘First there was Tanzhe, then there was Beijing’, proclaims a sign at Tanzhe temple located 45 kilometres west of the centre of Beijing.

Its origins certainly predate the formation of much of Beijing (or Yuzhou as it was known in antiquity), as the first reference to the site was noted in the Western Jin dynasty (265-361), but most of what forms the temple today was constructed in the Ming and Qing dynasties.

The complex of gardens and buildings sprawls over 41,000 square metres and its layout is said to have formed the basis for the Forbidden City.

The gardens contain a cornucopia of vegetation from lush bamboo to purple jade orchids, apricot trees and cypresses and often plenty of scope for exploration on a temperate day. The most fascinating structure, from a historical point of view, is The Hall of Guanyin.

Located at the top of the western axis, the hall – dedicated to the Goddess of Mercy – is associated with princess Miaoyan, daughter of Kublai Khan, who, in the 13th century took her vows in the nunnery that was located there at that time.

To this day, it is claimed that the stones in the hall still bear the marks from where she would go and kneel daily to pray for forgiveness from the Goddess of Mercy. 

Tanzhe Temple, Zhetan Zheshan, Tougo district (6086 2505). 潭柘寺, 门头沟区 潭柘山下

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