[2025 Beijing Attraction] Travel Guide for Lidai Diwang Miao (Temple of Previous Dynasties) (Updated Mar)

Beijing's urban area has the "Little Forbidden City in the West of Beijing" known as Wanshou Temple What many people don't know is that there is another alternative to the Forbidden City within the Second Ring Road---the Imperial Ancestral Temple More like the Forbidden City Blue sky and white clouds, red walls and yellow tiles, majestic And compared to the Forbidden City, there are not so many visitors, very quiet The only existing place for worshiping emperors of past dynasties Second only to the Beijing Taimiao From the 11th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1532) to the end of the Qing Dynasty, a total of 380 years There were 662 sacrificial ceremonies held here The number of emperors worshipped increased from 16 in the early Ming to 188 The Jingde Chongsheng Hall of the Imperial Ancestral Temple was upgraded during this renovation The green glazed tiles were replaced with yellow glazed tiles consistent with the Forbidden City In front of the hall, there is a white marble terrace, stone railings on the east, south, and west sides, and three steps on the south side, with the middle being the imperial road Its specifications and scale are second only to the Taimiao, and there are 11 niches in the hall for the spirit tablets of emperors of past dynasties The east and west side halls are double-eaved Xieshan top buildings with black glazed tiles, each with seven bays wide Set up spirit positions for meritorious officials and famous generals of past dynasties The spirit positions are worshipped in the east and west side halls according to the arrangement of "literature in the east and martial arts in the west" Besides the central path The east path includes buildings such as the divine warehouse, divine kitchen, slaughter pavilion, and well pavilion The west path includes buildings such as the Guandi Temple, the dismissal office, the sacrificial utensil warehouse, the custodian room, and the music and dance service room Most were rebuilt during the 2003 renovation project of the Imperial Ancestral Temple 👀Tips 🎫Ticket: 20 yuan, no reservation needed, you can directly enter by purchasing a ticket on site ⏰Opening hours: Wednesday to Sunday 9:00-16:30 (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays) 🏠131 Fuchengmen Inner Street, Xicheng District 🚇Take the subway line 4, get off at Xisi Station and walk for 5 minutes to arrive I am: Strolling in Beijing Follow me, let's start a wonderful journey~

Just a few hundred meters east of the White Pagoda Temple along Fuchengmen Inner Street is the Imperial Ancestral Temple. Having visited the Forbidden City and the Imperial Shrine several times, I was still amazed by this temple's magnificence and tranquility. The main building is the Jingde Chongsheng Hall, with a double-eaved hip-and-gable roof covered in yellow glazed tiles and adorned with He Xi Cai paintings. Four stele pavilions from the Qing Dynasty stand on either side. The layers of yellow glazed tiles create a visually stunning and photogenic scene. It's rare for the main hall to be without railings, allowing visitors to step directly inside and experience its grandeur. Inside, tablets dedicated to emperors throughout history are displayed, showcasing the unbroken lineage of Chinese rulers. The main hall enshrines emperors, while the east and west side halls enshrine worthy ministers and famous generals. Uniquely, the Guan Di Temple, a "temple within a temple" in the corner, is dedicated solely to Guan Yu. Don't miss the sacrificial vessel warehouse behind the Jingde Chongsheng Hall. Explore the special exhibition "Looking Back • Choice: Ming and Qing Emperors and the Imperial Ancestral Temple." 🎞️｜Imperial Ancestral Temple 📍｜No. 131, Fuchengmen Inner Street, Xicheng District, Beijing ⏰｜9:00-17:00, closed on Mondays 🎫｜20 🚇｜Line 2 Fuchengmen Station or Line 4 Xisi Station

The Imperial Ancestral Temple, also known as the Emperors' Temple, is a former imperial temple where emperors and meritorious officials of successive dynasties were worshipped during the Ming and Qing dynasties. Located at 131 Fuchengmen Inner Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, it was originally built in 1531 during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty. Its original site was the Baoan Temple, which was rebuilt in 1530, the ninth year of the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, and renovated in 1729, the seventh year of the Yongzheng period of the Qing Dynasty. It covers an area of 22,000 square meters, with a building area of about 4,000 square meters. The Imperial Ancestral Temple, facing south, is grand in scale. The layout of the buildings in the temple is divided into three routes: middle, east, and west. Along the central axis from south to north are the glazed screen wall, wooden archway (demolished), main gate, bell tower, Jingde Gate, and Jingde Chongsheng Hall, etc. Side halls are built on both sides. The Jingde Chongsheng Hall is the main building of the Imperial Ancestral Temple, second only to the Taihe Hall in the Forbidden City. There were originally eleven shrines in the hall for the memorial tablets of emperors of successive dynasties. There is a stele pavilion on each side of the platform. In the two stele pavilions on both sides of the main hall, there are imperial steles erected by Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong. The east route includes the Divine Kitchen, Divine Treasury, Slaughtering Pavilion, and Well Pavilion. The west route mainly consists of the rooms where the officiating officials prepared for the ceremonies. The Imperial Ancestral Temple is the only existing temple in China dedicated to the emperors of past dynasties. It not only reflects the long history of the Chinese nation but also embodies the continuous historical characteristics of China as a unified multi-ethnic country. In addition, it has high historical and cultural value for the study of ancient architecture and feudal rituals and institutions. The east and west side halls of the Jingde Chongsheng Hall are black glazed tile double-eaved hip-and-gable roof buildings, each with seven bays. The memorial tablets of meritorious officials and famous generals of past dynasties are enshrined in the east and west side halls, respectively, according to the arrangement of "civil officials in the east and military officials in the west." Among the famous ministers, there are Limu and Cangjie from the Yellow Emperor era, and famous ministers and generals from past dynasties such as Xiao He, Zhuge Liang, Fang Xuanling, Fan Zhongyan, Yue Fei, and Wen Tianxiang. The last ones are Liu Ji and Yu Qian from the Ming Dynasty, totaling 79 people. All the memorial tablets of meritorious officials and famous generals are inscribed in black ink on a red background. There is a brazier to the south of each of the east and west side halls, both of which are hip-and-gable roof buildings imitating wooden structures. The west side is made of gray bricks, and the east side is made of glazed tiles. They are places where eulogies and offerings are burned during sacrifices. In 1979, the Imperial Ancestral Temple was announced as a second batch of municipal-level cultural relics protection units by the Beijing Municipal People's Government. In 1996, the Imperial Ancestral Temple was announced as a fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

👍Xiaorongxian Hutong, located in Xicheng District, Beijing, is a historic alley. It runs east from Tonglinge Road to Fuxingmen Beishuncheng Street, with a total length of about 300 meters. The name of the hutong dates back to the Qing Dynasty, when there were many workshops producing wool yarn in the area. 🌈There are many historical buildings and cultural relics around Xiaorongxian Hutong, such as Beijing Lu Xun Middle School and Beijing No. 2 Experimental Primary School. Some traditional siheyuan (courtyard houses) are preserved in the hutong, showcasing the ancient style of Beijing. In recent years, with the development of the city, Xiaorongxian Hutong has undergone some renovations, but it still retains much of the character of ancient Beijing.

Imperial Ancestral Temple 1. Historical Background and Location The Imperial Ancestral Temple in Beijing was first built during the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty, nearly 500 years ago. It is located on Fuchengmen Inner Street in Xicheng District. Along with the Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) and the Confucian Temple, it is considered one of the three major imperial temples of Ming and Qing Beijing. 2. Enshrined Emperors The Imperial Ancestral Temple enshrines 188 emperors from ancient China, ranging from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the Ming Dynasty. These emperors were all considered to have made significant contributions to society. Over the centuries, China has seen four to five hundred emperors, and the selection criteria for enshrinement have changed several times, reflecting the different historical perspectives, views on ethnicity, and ruling philosophies of the Ming and Qing emperors. 3. Architectural Features The main structures of the Imperial Ancestral Temple are largely preserved from the Ming Dynasty. The main hall, the Jingde Chongsheng Hall, is nine bays wide and five bays deep, covered with yellow glazed tiles and decorated with golden dragons and xie-style painting, representing the highest level of ancient architecture. In addition, the temple features a 32-meter-long red screen wall, a dismounting stele, and other ancient structures, all imbued with a rich historical and cultural heritage. 4. Sacrificial Activities From the eleventh year of the Jiajing reign in the Ming Dynasty to the end of the Qing Dynasty, a span of 380 years, a total of 662 sacrificial ceremonies were held in the Imperial Ancestral Temple, demonstrating the importance the imperial court placed on this site. 5. Transportation The Imperial Ancestral Temple is located near the Baitasi East Station in Xicheng District, Beijing. It is easily accessible by various public transportation options, including Subway Line 2, and bus routes 3, 103, 42, and many others. The Imperial Ancestral Temple, with its rich history and cultural significance, is well worth a visit. 6. Recommended Reasons to Visit Beijing's winter jasmine is already in bloom, and magnolias are soon to follow. With February orchids, cherry blossoms, peach blossoms, apricot blossoms, crabapple blossoms, pear blossoms, tulips, and more, Beijing will soon be transformed into a sea of flowers, making it the most beautiful time of year to visit. Beijing boasts a large number of famous ancient buildings, including many temples. For those who appreciate ancient architecture, mid-spring is an ideal time to visit Beijing to enjoy the flowers and explore the historical sites.

When it comes to Citywalk in Beijing, there are many routes to choose from. If you ask me, I would recommend this route: ⛺[Tips]: Lu Xun Museum → Miaoying Temple White Pagoda → Temple of the Emperors of Successive Dynasties → Guangji Temple → Zhengyang Bookstore → Xishiku Church ⭐️Lu Xun Museum The museum mainly introduces the life of Lu Xun from birth to death. ⭐️Miaoying Temple White Pagoda One of the popular check-in spots, many tourists come here to pray. The best part of the route is walking from Lu Xun Museum to the White Pagoda Temple along the hutong. ⭐️Guangji Temple The temple is very popular, with lush greenery and friendly monks. You can see people reading scriptures everywhere. ⭐️Zhengyang Bookstore Located at the corner of the hutong, you can take a break here if you are tired. It is also a great place to take photos. ⭐️Xishiku Church The church is beautiful inside and out. Please take off your hat when entering the church.

The Temple of All Emperors in Beijing, also known as the Temple of the Emperors, is a royal temple used during the Ming and Qing dynasties to worship the Chinese ancestors, emperors, and meritorious officials. Located at No. 131 Fuchengmennei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing, it was first built in the 10th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1531). Its original site was Baoan Temple. It was rebuilt in the 9th year of Jiajing in the Ming Dynasty (1530) and renovated in the 7th year of Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty (1729). It covers an area of ​​22,000 square meters and has a construction area of ​​approximately 4,000 square meters. It faces south and is large in scale. The temple's architectural layout is divided into three roads: central, eastern and western. From south to north, the central axis consists of the glazed screen wall, the main gate, the bell tower, the Jingde Gate, the Jingde Chongsheng Hall and other buildings, with side halls built on both sides. The Jingde Chongsheng Temple is the main building of the Temple of Emperors of all dynasties, and its specifications are second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. There were originally eleven niches in the hall for the tablets of emperors of all dynasties. There is a stele pavilion on each side of the platform, and in the two stele pavilions on both sides of the main hall, there are two steles made by Emperor Yongzheng and Emperor Qianlong. The east road is the god's kitchen, god's storehouse, animal slaughter pavilion, well pavilion, etc. The west route is mainly used as a place for the officials in charge of offering sacrifices to set up their own temples. The Temple of All Emperors is the only existing temple in China dedicated to worshipping emperors of all dynasties. It not only reflects the long history of the Chinese nation, but also embodies the historical characteristics of China's unified multi-ethnic country. In addition, it has high historical and cultural value for the study of ancient architecture and feudal systems. In 1979, the Temple of All Emperors was announced by the Beijing Municipal People's Government as the second batch of municipal cultural relics protection units in Beijing. In 1996, the Temple of All Emperors was announced as the fourth batch of national key cultural relics protection units by the State Council of the People's Republic of China.

🏛 Beijing Imperial Ancestral Temple Travel Guide 📜 1. Ticket Information: Tickets for the Imperial Ancestral Temple usually cost CNY 20. There may be discounts for students and seniors. 2. Opening Hours: The temple is usually open from 9:00 to 17:00 from Tuesday to Sunday. It is closed on Mondays. 3. Recommended Route: It is recommended to enter from the main gate, visit the main hall first, and then visit the other halls in a clockwise direction. 4. Cultural Experience: The Imperial Ancestral Temple is an important place to learn about the ancient Chinese imperial sacrificial culture. You can learn more about Chinese history and culture. 5. Precautions: Please keep quiet, do not touch the exhibits, and respect cultural heritage. Please turn off the flash when taking photos to avoid damaging the cultural relics. 6. Nearby Attractions: After visiting the Imperial Ancestral Temple, you can continue to visit nearby Jingshan Park or Beihai Park. 7. Transportation: You can take Subway Line 4 and get off at Xisi Station, then walk to the temple. 🌟 Recommended: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 We hope these suggestions can help you better plan your trip to the Beijing Imperial Ancestral Temple! 📸🏯

"Temple of the Emperors of Successive Dynasties", also known as the Imperial Ancestral Temple, is located at No. 131, Fuchengmennei Street, Beijing. It is a royal temple from the Ming and Qing dynasties for worshipping the ancestors of the Chinese nation and emperors, meritorious statesmen, and famous generals from various dynasties. The temple was originally built in the 10th year of the Jiajing reign of the Ming dynasty (1531), on the site of the former Bao'an Temple, and was rebuilt in the 7th year of the Yongzheng reign of the Qing dynasty (1729). The temple faces south from the north and is grand in scale. The main building within the temple is the Jingde Chongsheng Hall, which is second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City in terms of its status. Inside the hall, there were originally eleven niches for the spirit tablets of emperors from various dynasties. On both sides of the great hall, there are stele pavilions containing one stele each inscribed by Emperors Yongzheng and Qianlong.

The Temple of Emperors of Successive Dynasties is located on Fuchengmennei Street in the Xicheng District, very close to the recently popular internet-famous spot, the White Pagoda Temple. The Temple of Emperors of Successive Dynasties was where Ming and Qing emperors worshipped their ancestors, and in ancient times, it held a status equivalent to that of the Imperial Ancestral Temple and the Confucius Temple. The construction of the Temple of Emperors of Successive Dynasties was completed slightly later than the Forbidden City, during the Jiajing era, which means it has a history of nearly 500 years. It enshrines 188 emperors, and during the reign of Emperor Qianlong, the principle of 'the continuity of the Chinese lineage shall never be broken' was proposed.

Located in the Xicheng District, the Temple of Emperors of Past Dynasties was founded in the Ming Dynasty. It is a royal temple where emperors and generals from the Three Sovereigns and Five Emperors to the Ming and Qing dynasties were worshipped. Ticket Price: 20

The royal temple was used during the Ming and Qing dynasties for sacrifices to the ancestors of the Chinese nation and emperors, meritorious statesmen, and famous generals. It was established in the 10th year of the Jiajing era of the Ming dynasty and is the only existing temple in China dedicated to the worship of emperors from all dynasties. The main hall enshrines the emperors, while the left and right side halls honor the meritorious statesmen and famous generals. The Jingde Chongsheng Temple is the main building of the Temple of the Emperors of Past Dynasties, second only to the Hall of Supreme Harmony in the Forbidden City. 🚗 Address: No. 131, Fuchengmennei Street, Xicheng District Subway🚇 Line 4, Xisi Station A Northwest Exit 🎫 Ticket price is 20 yuan, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

On weekdays, I don't want to take annual leave to go to the Forbidden City, and I don't want to miss the combination of ancient buildings and snow scenes. It's okay, there are many ancient buildings in Beijing, just go to the Imperial Ancestral Temple. The red walls and golden tiles, the white marble steps, the flame looking at the column head, the heavy eaves and the roof, the He Xi painting, the three intersections and six bowls of diamond windows, also mean that. The Imperial Ancestral Temple was built in the Ming Dynasty and was a place where the emperors of the Ming and Qing Dynasties worshipped the emperors and meritorious generals of the past dynasties. Its original site was Baoan Temple, which was rebuilt and renovated many times to form the current scale and pattern. The objects of worship in this temple include 188 emperors from the Three Emperors and Five Emperors to the end of the Ming Dynasty, and 79 meritorious generals. The Imperial Ancestral Temple is the only existing temple in our country that worships the Three Emperors and Five Emperors, the emperors of the past dynasties, and the civil and military officials of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a national key cultural relics protection unit. Address: No. 131, Fuchengmennei Street, Xicheng District, Beijing.