The thousand-year-old ancient village of Sanjiadian, nestled on the banks of the Yongding River in the northeast of Mentougou, was once a bustling hub for merchants and the starting point for commercial roads leading to Shanxi, Shaanxi, and beyond. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, over 200 commercial firms thrived here, including the one that inspired Lao She’s “Camel Xiangzi.” Today, Sanjiadian retains vestiges of its past, such as coal depots, the Dragon King Temple, White-robed Avalokitesvara Nunnery, Iron Anchor Temple, and the Shanxi Guild Hall, making it a significant distribution center for coal in western Beijing.
The most iconic remnant is the Yin Family Courtyard, also known as the Tianli Coal Factory Courtyard. Founded by the Yin family during the Daoguang period of the Qing Dynasty, the Tianli Coal Factory flourished during the Tongzhi and Guangxu periods. Spanning an area of 3,508 square meters, the factory includes three groups of courtyards, 73 rooms, and 14 gates, forming a complete large quadrangle courtyard. The brick carvings on the gate are coated with yellow mud, a protective measure against the ‘breaking of the four olds’ during a tumultuous historical period. Despite the mottled yellow mud, the intricate architecture and the family’s former prosperity are still evident.
The Dragon King Temple in Sanjiadian stands out as one of the most prosperous among the dozens of Dragon King Temples in western Beijing.Its predecessor is called Longxing Nunnery and was built in the Ming Dynasty. On the altar in the main hall, there are five dragon gods enshrined: the dragon gods of the East Sea, the West Sea, the South Sea, and the North Sea, as well as the statue of the Yongding River on the left. The 13th day of the sixth lunar month is the birthday of the river god. On this day, the Dragon King Temple in Sanjiadian will burn incense and offer sacrifices to the dragon god and the river god and hold a grand banquet. At that time, villagers will go to the Dragon King Temple to eat longevity noodles and offer birthday wishes to the river god. Now when the old people talk about celebrating the birthday of the river god, they are still full of interest and talk about it with relish. Full text. Opening hours: The specific business status is subject to the opening situation on that day.
