Jietai Temple (Tips, Photos & Map)

Meaning of “Jietai Temple”

“Jietai Temple – 戒台寺” literally means “Ordination Terrace Temple” Or “Altar Temple” for Buddhist discipline and ordination, now popularly known as Jietai Temple, a combined Chinese and English phrase.

It is one of the well known Buddhist temples in Beijing as well as one of the three most important “Ordination Terrace Temples” in China with other two being Zhaoqing Temple in Hangzhou and Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou Fujian Province.

If you are a Buddhist temple lover, Jietai Temple should be on your visiting list. The reason is quite simple: this temple has a long history, its importance as an altar temple and its beautiful old pine trees. No matter you are a temple visitor or leisure traveler, Jietai Temple is a bonus to your visit.

History of Jietai Temple

Its long history can be traced back to Sui Dynasty (581 – 600 ) over 1400 years ago when its original name was called “Huiju Temple” ( wisdom accumulation ). Later in Liao Dynasty (1065 – 1074), a monk called Fajun erected an altar here in the temple for religious ordination and Buddhist discipline. In Ming Dynasty ( 1368 -1644), the temple was renamed Wanshou Temple.

As prestigious monks often set up altars here and initiated people into monkshood, people began to call the temple “Jietai Temple”, a temple where people receive Buddhist discipline. Now Jietai Temple is the biggest of the three most famous Altar Temples in China. It is reputed as “First Altar Temple under Heaven”.

If you are not interested in the temple itself, the temple won't be a let down. The 1400-year old temple has the most beautiful pine trees in Beijing, an even in China for its old age and unique shapes. There are ten most famous pine trees.

They are Sleeping Dragon Pine Tree, Leisure Pine Tree, Pagoda Embracing Pine Tree, Sensitive Pine Tree and so on. Beside pine trees, there are also many other ancient trees, like lilacs, peonies etc.

How to get to Jietai Temple & Tickets

Virtual Tour of Jietai Temple

Well, follow us to have a brief trip of Jietai Temple in Mentougou District, west of Beijing.

Soon, we get off the Highway G108 and go to Jietai Temple, about 4 km from the main road. We are approaching Jietai Temple. Since it is later in the afternoon , there are very few people in the temple.

Tip: Hassle-free Beijing Guided Tours

If you don’t want to go the do-it-yourself route and prefer the hassle-free escorted tours,  here are some options for guided tours to Beijing:

Further Readings