The Temple of Azure Clouds Travel Guide

The Temple of Azure Clouds lies at the foot of the Western Hills,and just outside the north gate of Fragrant Hill Park which is 20 kilometers from Beijing City. Its landmark the Diamond Throne Pagoda can be seen towering amidst green trees from a far distance.

The Temple was first built in 1366 before the collapse of the Yuan Dynasty. Under the Ming two powerful eunuchs, Yu Jing and Wei Zhongxian, had it expanded at various periods, trying to make it their burial ground, but they didn´t succeed.

Since 1954, they have been renovated and painted anew. Entering the gate you can see the Bell Tower and the Drum Tower, one on each side. The most famous buildings inside the temple, however, are the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which is in the center of the temple, the Five Hundred Arhats Hall and the Vajra Throne Tower. The magnificent Vajra Throne Tower is the highest building in the Temple of Azure Clouds. This 35 meter-high tower with elegant decorations is well-known within the area of Beijing City for its high elevation.

Features
The temple, which is built on six different levels over an elevation of nearly 100 meters, is known for its fine scenery.The temple also includes the Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, which is located at the center of the temple complex. Two other prominent features are the Arhats Hall and the Vajra Throne Pagoda.