“Deeply saddened by the loyal soldiers who perished in battle.” That’s what Emperor Taizong of the Tang Dynasty must have felt. He ordered the construction of a temple to commemorate them. This place before you is the old site of that temple known as \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa.
\u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa’s story begins in 645 AD. Emperor Taizong deeply mourned those who died defending the country. He decided to build \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa. It was a way to honor their memory. The temple was completed in 696 AD. Empress Wu Zetian continued the work after Emperor Taizong’s death. She named it \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa.
Over the centuries, \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa has seen many changes. It was once called Shuntian Temple during the An Lushan Rebellion. After the rebellion, it went back to being \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa. In the late Tang Dynasty, Li Keyong renovated the temple. He added the magnificent \u60af\u5fe0\u9601 pavilion. People praised it saying its height almost touched the sky.
Sadly, an earthquake in 947 AD destroyed \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa. It was rebuilt and renamed Great \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa. Today, the temple is known as Fayuan Temple. Fayuan Temple is Beijing’s oldest temple.
Fayuan Temple covers a large area. Inside, you would find many halls and buildings. These include the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Great Hall and the Hall of Great Compassion. The Sutra Hall and the Bell and Drum Towers are also important. Each hall holds statues and relics.
Many notable figures have visited Fayuan Temple. These include Zhao Bingwen and Lin Huiyin. Every April, the temple’s lilacs bloom. This creates a beautiful scene. Fayuan Temple is famous for these lilacs. In 2002, the Lilac Poetry Festival was revived. It celebrates Xuan Nan’s culture.
Even though we’re at the old site of \u60af\u5fe0\u5bfa, its legacy lives on. It reminds us of the soldiers. Their loyalty and sacrifice helped shape Beijing. It stands as a testament to history.