Xicheng District

Religious landmarks in Xicheng District

Temples & Religious Landmarks

Xicheng District preserves a profound spiritual heritage, home to some of Beijing's most significant religious sites. This collection spans over a millennium of history, featuring the Liao-dynasty Niujie Mosque and the White Cloud Temple, the seat of the Quanzhen Taoist school. Architectural highlights include the 13th-century White Stupa at Miaoying Temple, the Gothic spires of Beitang Cathedral, and the unique Indian-inspired diamond throne pagoda at the Five Pagoda Temple. These landmarks offer a window into the Buddhist, Taoist, Islamic, and Christian traditions that have shaped the capital.

Temples & Religious Landmarks — Map

Dan Kamminga / CC BY-SA 2.0

A

Hall of High Heaven

An imperial Taoist temple built in 1542 during the Ming dynasty. It served as a private place of worship for emperors to pray for rain and favorable weather, located just outside the Forbidden City.

Smartneddy / CC BY-SA 2.5

B

Niujie Mosque

The Niujie Mosque is the oldest mosque in Beijing, China. It was first built in 996 during the Liao dynasty and was reconstructed as well as…

Haldini / Sam Haldane / CC BY-SA 2.0

C

White Cloud Temple

The White Cloud Temple, also known as Baiyun Temple or the Abbey or Monastery of the White Clouds, is a Taoist temple and monastery located…

White, Herbert C. / Public domain

D

Five Pagoda Temple

The Five Pagoda Temple, formally known as the "Temple of the Great Righteous Awakening" or "Zhenjue Temple" for short, is a Ming dynasty…

Angus Cepka / CC BY 2.5

E

Tianning Temple

The Tianning Temple is a Buddhist temple complex located in Xicheng District of Beijing, in northern China.

F

Miaoying Temple

Also known as the White Stupa Temple, this site features a massive white Tibetan-style pagoda designed by Nepali architect Araniko in 1271. It is the oldest and largest Yuan dynasty structure in Beijing.

G

Beitang cathedral

A historic Roman Catholic cathedral featuring a neo-Gothic facade flanked by Chinese pavilions. Originally established in 1703, the current structure was relocated and rebuilt in 1887.

Zxmnju / CC BY-SA 3.0

H

Huode Zhenjun Temple

The Huode Zhenjun Temple, also known as the Fire God Temple, located near the Shichahai in central Beijing, is a prominent Taoist temple of…

Walter Grassroot / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Fa Yuan Temple

Originally built in 645 during the Tang dynasty, this is the oldest Buddhist temple in central Beijing. It currently houses the Buddhist Academy of China and a vast collection of stone scriptures and cultural relics.

Michele lee / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (West Church

The Church of Our Lady of Mount Carmel, more often colloquially referred to as Xizhimen Church, is a Roman Catholic church located on the…

K

Altar of Earth and Harvests

An imperial altar built in 1421 where Ming and Qing emperors performed sacrifices to the gods of soil and grain. The central platform features soil in five colors representing the five elements.

L

Baoguo Temple

Originally built during the Liao dynasty and reconstructed in 1466, this temple was a major cultural hub during the Qing dynasty. It is noted for its traditional Ming-style architecture and historical significance to local scholars.

M

Minor Western Heaven

Built in 1770 by the Qianlong Emperor to celebrate his mother's 80th birthday, this grand square pavilion is surrounded by water and represents the Buddhist concept of Mt. Sumeru.

N

Zhong hua sheng gong hui jiao tang

A former Anglican cathedral built in 1907. This red-brick structure features a unique blend of Western Gothic architecture and traditional Chinese roof tiles.

O

Dou cheng huang miao hou dian

The surviving rear hall of the Capital City God Temple, which was originally established in 1270 during the Yuan dynasty. It represents a rare remnant of Beijing's early municipal religious administration.

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