Here on Xihuashi Dajie stands the \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99. It is more than just an old building. It holds stories of fire, faith, and community.
The \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99’s story began in 1568 during the Ming Dynasty. It served as a subordinate temple to Shenmufang Yuangguan. People came here to worship the Fire God, Huodezhenjun. Later, the True Martial Emperor of the North was also honored here.
Interestingly, the \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99 was not immune to the very element it revered. Fires damaged the temple multiple times. Records from 1939 detail a fire that ravaged the main hall. It also destroyed the Jade Emperor Pavilion. Despite these setbacks, the community always rebuilt it.
The temple also played a role beyond religion. During the Qing Dynasty, the \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99’s rear courtyard housed a “water association.” This group was responsible for local fire prevention. It shows how deeply connected the temple was to the safety of the neighborhood.
Look closely at the architecture. The main hall features a joined gable hard-top design. Yellow glazed tile adorns the main ridge. Look for the double dragons playing with pearls. Green glazed tiles trim the edges.
In 2003, the \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99 became a protected cultural site. During renovations, workers discovered plaques from the Kangxi period. One plaque read “Lishao Si Quan.” The other said “De Fu Yang Guang.” Both bore a red “Tribute” character. These plaques offer a glimpse into the temple’s rich history.
Before its restoration, the \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99 also served a practical purpose. It acted as a temporary reading room for the Chongwen District Library. This shows the adaptability of the temple over time.
Huang Xin Yang proposed that the \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99 become a Taoist venue in 2015. This proposal highlights the ongoing effort to preserve the temple’s religious significance.
Notice the stone inscription. It states the front hall is dedicated to the Southern Fire God. The rear hall honors the Northern True Martial Emperor.
Today, the \u82b1\u5e02\u706b\u795e\u5e99 stands as a testament to resilience. It represents Beijing’s cultural heritage. This temple has survived fires and social changes. It is a symbol of enduring faith.