Established during the Eastern Jin Dynasty, Hongluo Temple is a renowned Buddhist garden in northern China, often referred to as ‘Pu Tuo in the south, Hong Luo in the north’. It has been a sacred place for Buddhist worship and blessings in the Beijing area since ancient times. The temple, surrounded by towering ancient trees, is characterized by its seasonal beauty: ‘flowers in spring, coolness in summer, red leaves in autumn, and the three friends of winter’.
The temple is divided into two parts: the main temple area near the main hall and the Five Hundred Arhats Forest, and the other part is the Guanyin Temple on the mountain top, which is said to be extremely effective for praying for children. There are incense burners throughout the temple for worship, with no required offering, leaving it up to the visitors’ discretion.
The main temple area and the Five Hundred Arhats Forest are not large, with a perimeter of a few hundred meters, allowing for a one-hour walk around. In addition to worship, the main attraction of the main temple area is the appreciation of the abundant flora within Hongluo Temple, including the three famous views: ‘Imperial Bamboo Forest’, ‘Male and Female Ginkgo Trees’, and ‘Wisteria Parasol on Pine’, known as the three unique views of Hongluo Temple.
The Imperial Bamboo Forest is located in front of the mountain gate, with over a million bamboo plants that have been cultivated for more than 600 years. Emperor Kangxi once issued a special decree for its maintenance, and it is now a thriving and spectacular sight.The Wisteria Parasol on Pine is a striking feature in the courtyard behind the Mahavira Hall. Here, two thick wisteria vines gracefully cover the branches of a flat-topped pine tree. Every early May, the wisteria flowers bloom in a stunning display, resembling strings of purple agate and creating a beautiful floral umbrella.
Adjacent to this, the Male and Female Ginkgo Trees are two ancient ginkgo trees standing in front of the Mahavira Hall. The eastern tree is the female, which bears fruit without flowering, while the western one is the male, known for flowering without bearing fruit. Both trees are impressively tall and sturdy, with an age exceeding a thousand years. The male tree, slightly larger, stands over 30 meters high and has a circumference of more than 7 meters, making it a truly spectacular sight. It features ten straight branches growing upward from the base, forming a unique shape. In autumn, the golden ginkgo leaves adorn the Mahavira Hall, making it look resplendent and attracting visitors to linger.
After touring the temple, visitors can embark on a mountain path that leads to the back mountain. This path consists of more than a thousand steps and typically takes about two hours to reach the Guanyin Temple at the summit. Along the way, different statues of Guanyin Bodhisattva appear at intervals, adding an interesting element to the journey. The Guanyin Temple on the mountaintop is reputed to be very effective for praying for children, drawing many visitors for worship. From the top, one can enjoy a panoramic view of the distant mountains and towns, offering a very open perspective.
For those who find the climb challenging, a scenic slideway is available for both ascending and descending the mountain. The slideway is approximately 800 meters long and directly connects to the Guanyin Temple at the top.Opening hours:
– From March 25th to October 31st: 08:30 – 17:00.
– National Day: 08:00 – 18:00.
Preferential policies:
– Free admission for children under 120cm.
– Free admission for seniors aged 65 and above with ID.
– Free admission for retired personnel with retirement certificates.
– Half-price for those aged 60 to 65 with senior citizen cards or ID.
– Free admission for the disabled with disability certificates.
– Preferential treatment for low-income individuals with valid social security certificates.
– Half-price for active-duty military personnel with military officer certificates.
– Half-price for full-time primary, middle, and high school students, excluding adult education and graduate students.
– Half-price for firefighters from the national comprehensive fire and rescue team with valid fire and rescue certificates.
Service facilities:
– Mother and baby room located near the Hongluo Temple scenic area visitor center.
