Legend says a son of the East Sea Dragon King dwells here. He protects this very place. This is the tale of Beijing’s Heilongtan and the Dragon King Temple.
Welcome to Heilongtan Dragon King Temple. It is a place of legend and imperial history.
Local lore says Heilong, the Black Dragon is the son of the Dragon King. He returned to find a white dragon had taken over his pool. This white dragon terrorized the local people. Heilong battled the white dragon in the sky. He defeated him throwing him onto Painting Eyebrow Mountain. A deep gouge remains on a stone. Locals call it Dragon Throwing Stone.
The temple’s construction date is unknown. It saw renovations in 1486 1586 and 1681. During droughts nearby waters dried up. Only Heilongtan’s waters remained. People believed Heilong controlled the rain. They prayed for rain and their prayers were answered. Villagers built the Dragon King Temple to thank Heilong.
Imperial visits marked Heilongtan’s history. Emperors of the Ming and Qing dynasties came here. They sought rain and admired the pool. Emperors like Qianlong even rested here. He reportedly kowtowed to the Dragon King at 88 years old. Qianlong changed the temple’s roof tiles. Green tiles became the imperial yellow.
Praying for rain at Heilongtan was a grand affair. The Astronomical Bureau chose the date. A list of officials was made and approved by the Emperor. The Hanlin Academy wrote prayers. Emperors showed sincerity by not using carriages. They personally presented prayers.
Each year a temple fair occurred in April. Entertainers and villagers gathered here. Acrobat groups stilt walkers and martial artists came. The temple became a vibrant hub for folk celebrations.
After the People’s Republic of China was founded it became a sanatorium. It was later renovated in 1991. In 2003 it became part of the Grand Canal. It is now a protected historical site.
The temple faces east nestled in greenery. A mountain gate welcomes visitors. The words ‘Heilong King Temple’ adorn it. The gate is topped with yellow glazed tiles. North of the gate lies Heilongtan the Black Dragon Pool. A semicircular corridor surrounds it. The corridor has gray tiles and white walls. Ornate windows decorate the walls. Local records say the pool was ten acres. Water flowed from stone crevices year-round. In the early 21st century groundwater over-extraction caused the pool to shrink.
Stone tablets record imperial visits. They detail emperors’ prayers for rain. The Dragon King Palace is accessed by stone steps. It features glazed tile doors. The main hall enshrines a Dragon King statue. A white jade stele from 1486 stands there too. It recounts the temple’s history. In 1738 the Dragon God was titled ‘Zhao Ling Bo Ze Dragon King’.
As you leave consider the enduring legacy of Heilongtan and the Dragon King Temple. A place where legend and history intertwine. A testament to faith imperial power and the vital need for rain.