Winter Getaway: Explore Mentougou West of Beijing for New Year Blessings

As the Spring Festival approaches, it’s time for those who have been busy all year to take a well-deserved rest. Take advantage of the children’s winter vacation to visit Mentougou West of Beijing for a one-day trip, prepare for the New Year goods, and bring blessings home.

In winter, ice and snow activities are a must, enjoyed by both children and adults alike in this pristine white world. At the Slow Flash Park in Tanzhe Temple Town, the sun has already melted into the mountain’s cup, let’s hide our love in the food, retreat into the romantic bubble house for a hot pot, and gather around the stove to brew tea. Share this cozy winter moment with family and friends.

Early winter, valleys, and the world between heaven and earth; we eat according to the natural seasons and accompany nature; it’s the comfort of a meal and a bite…

Bask in the warm winter sun and enjoy the long hours; life is true, relaxed, and at ease.

Tanzhe Temple blessings, these days Beijing seems no longer cold, and there are so many people coming here to pray. Tanzhe Temple is relatively close to the urban area of Beijing and is the earliest temple built after the introduction of Buddhist culture into Beijing, so Beijing people seem to have a greater affection for it, with thriving incense throughout the four seasons. Even I come here several times a year, to see the twin orchids in spring, to go on leisurely hikes in summer, to admire the thousand-year-old ginkgo in autumn, and to bring blessings home in winter.

Praying follows your own wishes, offering incense, hanging blessing lanterns, ringing bells for blessings, and the temple will also give out blessing characters to tourists. Pray for a smooth and healthy new year! There may also be some games and other activities during the Spring Festival period.

The first thing you see is a tall archway, in front of which there are two ancient pines entwined together, covering the sky and very spectacular. The mountain gate, ‘Imperially Built Xiuyun Zen Temple’ was inscribed by Kangxi himself, and since then Tanzhe Temple has become the largest royal temple in Beijing.

Two treasures of Tanzhe Temple:
The large copper pot: In front of the Tathagata Hall, there is a copper pot with a diameter of 1.85 meters and a depth of 1.1 meters, which was used by the monks for cooking. In fact, there is an even larger pot in the north room of the east cross courtyard, which can hold 10 stones of rice at a time for porridge, and it takes 16 hours to cook. Due to the large bottom and thick pot, slow fire simmering, the porridge is both sticky and fragrant. There is also a saying about these two pots, ‘sprinkle sand without leaking rice’, originally, there is a ‘sand container’ at the bottom of the pot, as the porridge is continuously stirred, sand and stones will sink into the concave part at the bottom of the pot.
Stone fish: This fish is hung on the front porch of the Dragon King Hall, and it is said to be a divine gift. Touching it is said to make wishes come true, but now touching the fish is prohibited.

Mahavira Hall: Inside the hall, you can see the treasures of the Yuan Dynasty, with two giant colored glaze chrysanthemum kisses locked by gold chains on the ridge.

Bodhi tree: More than 800 years old, introduced from India, it is under this kind of tree that the Buddha achieved nirvana.

Imperial tree and accompanying king tree: More than 1400 years old, ginkgo trees, Qianlong named these two trees as lovers, but they are both male trees.

Millennium cypress: The oldest arborvitae in North China, more than 1600 years old.

Gold inlaid jade bamboo: A rare variety bestowed by Kangxi in the 37th year, rare in the world.

May all things go well tree: Couples must touch it, especially newlyweds, it is said that after touching, they will be harmonious for a hundred years!

Twin orchids: Come to see in early May, more than 400 years old, two-color orchids, stunning the capital.

Avalokitesvara Hall: The Avalokitesvara Hall is the highest point in the temple, with Qianlong’s handwritten lotus world mercy on it. Kublai Khan’s daughter, Princess Miaoyan, became a nun here, the place where the princess worshipped the brick, there is a blue brick inside with two deep footprints stepped by Princess Miaoyan.

Yigan Pavilion, commonly known as the flowing cup pavilion, is located in the palace courtyard, built by Emperor Qianlong to get the fun ofAfter your prayer and fun, head to the nearby private hot springs to enjoy the tranquility and comfort of a countryside homestay.

Surrounding hot spring accommodations are great choices. Ziyang Manor is the first option. It features a villa-style homestay cluster with different sizes and types of private villas, providing great privacy and beautiful scenery. The terraced and undulating style of the ancient residential villas makes it feel like a secluded paradise, far from the hustle and bustle of the city and hidden in the mountain recesses. Without a friend’s introduction, one might not know such a place exists.

Yipiao Inn Private Hot Springs: Located halfway up the mountain, Yipiao Inn is a homestay with great views. The inn has many rooms, private hot spring pools, and excellent service. Without a reservation, one cannot enter, and the housekeeper is very responsible. It is suitable for team-building, family gatherings, couples, birthday parties, and more.

Mushan Private Hot Spring Courtyard: With a total of 4 rooms, the overall design incorporates a full Japanese style. Pleasant window views and uniquely shaped stone hot spring pools create a quiet and elegant private space. On the second floor, there is a large reception area, dining area, and kitchen with floor-to-ceiling windows replacing the walls, offering a panoramic view of the mountains.

There are also other homestays such as Dayin Xiaoshe, Qilu, Yunfu Banshan, Yueyi, and Zilai Mountain Autumn. There is always one that suits you.

Three kilometers away from Tanzhe Temple, there is Tanzhe Yuan Ancient Road Inn, which offers accommodations but without private hot springs.

All of these homestays can be booked online. On weekends and holidays, consider spending a vacation in the mountains to fully enjoy the long-lost leisure time.