夕照寺

Whispers of chanting monks and the scent of incense once filled the air of Xizhao Temple. Today, we stand before a historical puzzle. Xizhao Temple, nestled in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, has seen centuries of change. Its name, meaning “Evening Zhao,” is believed to be connected to the Jintaixizhao, one of the “Eight Views of Yanjing.” Some suggest it refers to the golden light cast on a large red screen that once stood before the temple. The temple’s origins are unclear, but it likely dates back to the early Ming Dynasty, possibly even earlier to the Yuan Dynasty. A fascinating inscription, discovered in 1943, provides some clues. It mentions the temple’s gate number and states it was privately built during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty and renovated in the third year of the Jiaqing period. Xizhao Temple has played various roles throughout history. In the Qing Dynasty, it was a “water and land” ritual site. Monks would perform a captivating cymbal dance outside the temple during these rituals. This dance was said to have been passed down from the Fayuan Temple. During the Republican era, a charity school was established within Xizhao Temple, later moving to the nearby Fahua Temple. In the 1950s, the temple’s backyard was transformed into the Beijing Fifth Kindergarten. Over the years, Xizhao Temple endured periods of neglect and repurposing. It was briefly occupied by a button factory and later by a lock factory, which led to the removal and destruction of some of the temple’s artwork, including the mural “Ancient Pine Painting.” The Cultural Revolution further decimated the temple, with many Buddhist statues disappearing and the Putong Pagoda behind the temple being dismantled. Thankfully, in 1984, Xizhao Temple was designated a cultural relic protection site in Chongwen District. Restoration efforts in 2008 brought back the Shanmen Hall, Daxiong Hall, Dabei Hall, and the East and West Wing Halls. Today, Xizhao Temple is part of the Jintaixizhao Guild Hall, used for exhibitions and conferences. It houses a Chicken Blood Stone Museum, Xizhao Tea House, and a Guqin Museum. So while the temple may not be in its original state, its enduring presence reminds us of its rich history and cultural significance.