Badachu of Beijing

Badachu is the general designation for the eight ancient temples located in the West Mountain of Beijing.It is an old garden built in Sui, and Tang Dynasty. The Eight Temples are dispersed in Lushi Mountain in the east, Cuiwei Mountain in the west and Pinpo Mountain in the north. There is a stream named willow stream at the foot of the mountains. Five bridges cross over the stream. There are also 12 places of interest. Nowadays majority of the temples were restored or rebuilt in Qing Dynasty.

Changan Temple was built at the foot of Cuiwei Mountain in 1504, and it was rebuilt in 1671. Its gate faces the east; two halls are respectively for Buddha and Niangniang. Famous and rate flowers and trees like osmund and white-surface pine trees are planted there. A copper bell of Ming Dynasty is one of the precious antiques in this temple. Lingguang Temple is against the mountain and facing the plain. It is the first attraction in Badachu. It was built in Tang Dynasty. In 1071, an eight-angle and ten-layer temple was put up. In 1900, it was severely destroyed by western invaders except for its base. Afterwards, people found the Buddhist relics of Sakyamunis teeth.

Sanshan Temple is near Lingguang Temple. There is a rectangular white marble with amazing carvings. Dabei Temple was built in Yuan Dynasty and officially named by Emperor Kangxi in 1712, and its name was also carved in accordance with the handwriting of the great emperor. Eighteen arhats statues are the main attraction of this temple. Longwang Temple was built in the reign of Emperor Kangxi. The statues of Dragon King, Mr. Thunder, and Mrs. Lightening could be seen there. Xiangjie Temple was the important one among the eight great temples. It is the largest one among them. It was set up in Tang Dynasty. In 1748, it was renamed Xiangjie Temple, because the emperor rested here when he visited Badachu. The temple is magnificent and grand. There are imperial palaces and gardens are the east of the Temple. Either side of gate, there are bell and drum tower. The seventh temple is on the top of the mountain of Jewelry cave.

The last one, Zhengke Temple, located on Lushi Mountain, is the oldest one among the eight temples. In front of the gate are two steles, on which there are records of the history of this temple. The temple was established in Tang Dynasty. Famous Mimo Cliff is another attraction of this temple. Many celebrities of Qing Dynasty engraved their poems on the cave. Hushi, one of China's most famous figures in latter-day history, once also wrote a modern poem to express his feeling here.