Chinatodo
Beyond the Great Wall and Forbidden City, Beijing hides centuries-old temples, artsy hutong enclaves, and culinary treasures untouched by mass tourism.
Fahai Temple (法海寺 fǎ hǎi sì)
A 15th-century Ming Dynasty temple famed for its exquisitely preserved Buddhist murals, rivaling Mogao Cave artworks. The dimly lit halls glow with gold-leafed deities.
Why Visit: Only 20 visitors allowed daily—book ahead for an intimate glimpse of China’s forgotten Renaissance-era art.
Zhihua Temple (智化寺 zhì huà sì)
A serene 1443 temple with original black-glazed roof tiles and daily performances of imperial-era “jing music” by robed monks.
Why Visit: Hear melodies lost for 500 years, played on instruments like the sheng (mouth organ) in a crowd-free setting.
Xishiku Church (西什库教堂 xī shí kù jiào táng)
A striking fusion of French Gothic spires and Chinese pavilions, hidden in a hutong near the Forbidden City.
Why Visit: Attend a Sunday Mass where hymns echo under painted lotus ceilings—a symbol of East-West harmony.
Wutasi Stone Carvings (五塔寺 wǔ tǎ sì)
Nicknamed “Beijing’s Mini Angkor Wat,” this Qing Dynasty temple-turned-museum displays millennia-old steles and elephant statues.
Why Visit: Photograph the 500-year-old ginkgo tree that showers the courtyard in golden leaves every November.
Temple of Enlightenment (东景缘 dōng jǐng yuán)
A revamped Ming Dynasty temple complex hosting tea ceremonies, Tibetan singing bowl meditations, and avant-garde art exhibitions.
Why Visit: Sip aged pu’er tea in a 600-year-old meditation hall lit by floating paper lanterns.
Xihuang Temple (西黄寺 xī huáng sì)
A restricted-access Tibetan Buddhist temple with a dazzling white stupa, opened to the public only in 2018 after 300 years.
Why Visit: Marvel at mandala murals and prayer wheels spun by visiting Mongolian pilgrims.
Hidden Hutong Havens
- Longfusi Street (隆福寺街 lóng fú sì jiē): A revived Ming Dynasty block blending indie bookstores, craft beer bars, and century-old tofu shops.
- Moshikou Historic Street (模式口大街 mó shì kǒu dà jiē): Walk past Republic-era villas and cartoonish stone lion carvings on this quiet “Dragon Bone Road.”
