The Beijing Dongyue Temple was originally built in the sixth year of the Yuan Dynasty’s Yanyou period (1319), funded by Zhang Liusun and Wu Quanjie, the great masters of the Xuan Teaching during the Yuan Dynasty. It primarily worships the God of Mount Tai, Dongyue Da Di. Through continuous expansion during the Ming and Qing dynasties, it gradually formed an architectural layout with a central main courtyard and eastern and western side courtyards.
The entire temple covers an area of about 47,400 square meters, with more than 300 ancient buildings, showcasing the architectural styles of the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, and can be regarded as a treasure of ancient architecture. Historically, Dongyue Temple was a place for national sacrifices, and the folk sacrificial activities were even grander, making it a folk culture activity center with a rich heritage. In 1996, Beijing Dongyue Temple was designated as a national key cultural relics protection unit. In 1997, the Beijing Dongyue Temple Management Office and Beijing Folklore Museum were established. In 1999, the Beijing Folklore Museum officially opened to the public. The museum’s purpose is to become a research center, exhibition center, and activity center for Beijing’s folklore. It has hosted dozens of academic seminars such as ‘The Calendar of the Ethnic State: Traditional Festivals and Legal Holidays’ and published books like ‘Beijing Folklore Series’ and ‘Old Beijing Traditional Festival Culture’. The museum regularly holds folk exhibitions, launching more than ten major exhibitions such as ‘Life Ritual Cultural Relics Exhibition’ and ‘Old Beijing Commercial Folklore Cultural Relics Exhibition’. The Dongyue Temple Fair held during the Spring Festival has been included in the national intangible cultural heritage list. Additionally, during traditional festivals like Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and Double Ninth Festival, the museum hosts a variety of colorful folk garden activities. The Dongyue Academy, built on the eastern corridor of the museum, provides the public with traditional culture lectures. The museum has gradually become an important window for citizens and tourists to understand Beijing’s traditional folk culture. Full text opening hours: 04/28 Tuesday-Sunday 08:30-16:30; 04/29 Monday Closed; 04/30-05/12 08:30-16:30; 05/13-10/17 Tuesday-Sunday 08:30-16:30; 10/21-12/31 Tuesday-Sunday 08:30-16:30; 05/13-10/17 Monday Closed; 10/21-12/31 Monday Closed; New Year’s Day, Spring Festival, Qingming Festival, Labor Day, Dragon Boat Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, National Day 08:30-16:30; 10/18-10/20 08:30-18:00. Preferential policies for minors: Minors under the age of 18 can visit for free with valid identification (children under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult, with one adult allowed to accompany up to three children under 14).For free – Elderly people aged 60 years old and above can enter for free with valid identity documents.
For free – Museum staff can enter for free with museum work certificates. For free – Active-duty military personnel, veterans, disabled military personnel and family members of martyrs, soldiers killed in action, and disabled soldiers can enter for free with relevant certificates and armed police officer certificates. For free – Fire rescue personnel can enter for free with work certificates. For free – People with heroic and courageous deeds can enter for free with honorary certificates. For free – Retired personnel can enter for free with retirement certificates. For free – Disabled people can enter for free with disability certificates. For free – Religious believers can enter for free with valid certificates uniformly printed by provincial and above Taoist associations. Supplementary note: The above information is for reference only. Please refer to the announcements made by the scenic spot on the day for specific details.
