Question: What whispers do you think linger within these walls? Welcome to the Yanqing Temple. This temple stands to the east of the Wanshou Temple. It is on the north bank of the Chang River. The Yanqing Temple is near the Guangyuan Sluice.
Once upon a time emperors, empresses, and imperial families journeyed from the Forbidden City to the Summer Palace. They would disembark at the Wanshou Temple Wharf. The Yanqing Temple served as a place for officials and servants to rest. They could prepare for their duties. Also the temple was a venue for folk temple fairs along the Chang River.
Legend says that the Yanqing Temple was initially part of the Wanshou Temple. Whether they were separate from the start or divided later is unclear. Inside Yanqing Temple were main halls and east-west side halls. A stone tablet, renovated in 1462 during the Ming Dynasty, once stood here.
In 1655, under the Qing Dynasty, another renovation took place. This involved the main hall and mountain gate. The “History of Beijing Temples” notes its establishment. It states Yanqing Temple was built in 1766. This makes it a private temple. The temple covered twenty-two acres. It had sixty-one rooms. Attached were twenty-six acres of garden. Thirty-five acres of farmland belonged to it too.
The temple housed a statue of Sakyamuni Buddha. Also, there were statues of Ananda and Kasyapa. Eighteen Arhats existed. All were made of clay. A large bronze bell also stood here. There were iron incense burners and three sutras. Three stone tablets marked the grounds. Trees like ginkgo, elm, jujube, and cypress grew.
By 2017, over two hundred households lived within Yanqing Temple. The temple and its surroundings transformed into a shantytown. Today Yanqing Temple is a registered item in Haidian District’s cultural census. A protection marker was set up in January 2012.
In 2018, plans to renovate the shantytown around Yanqing Temple started. Although a temple the name Yanqing Temple was bestowed by an emperor. Today the only remains are the mountain gate and side doors. The eastern side door serves as an entrance for residents. The mountain gate and western side door are fenced off due to disrepair.
Across from Yanqing Temple’s mountain gate lies the Guangyuan Sluice. It was built in 1289 during the Yuan Dynasty. This controlled the water volume within the imperial city. Qing emperors switched boats at this sluice en route to the Qing漪 Garden. Now, the Guangyuan Sluice is a reconstructed bridge. It functions as a parking lot. Only the water-dividing beast on the bridge retains its original form. Though weathered, it still guards dutifully. The mountain gate shows an engraving that says: bestowed Yanqing Zen Temple.
What remains of Yanqing Temple stands as a testament to Beijing’s layered past. It is a reminder of imperial journeys. It is a symbol of changing times. Let’s take a moment to appreciate the history. Think about what it means for the future.