Tanzhe Temple

I'm not usually a temple person, but Tanzhe Temple won me over. The red walls against the green pines are a photographer's dream. I spent two hours just wandering and taking photos — every corner has a beautiful frame. The little tea house near the exit served a lovely jasmine tea. Only downside was the bus ride from the metro — it was bumpy and crowded. Totally worth it though!

Solid temple visit, but not the most memorable one in Beijing. The location is gorgeous — nestled in the mountains with a nice breeze. I enjoyed the architecture and the ancient steles. However, the souvenir shops inside felt a bit pushy, and there weren't enough benches to rest. Still, it's a good way to spend a quiet afternoon away from the city buzz.

I arrived right when it opened and had the whole temple almost to myself. The morning light filtering through the old trees was magical. I especially loved the stone pagoda garden and the little pond with koi fish. One thing: the signs are only in Chinese, so if you're a foreign tourist, bring a translation app. Otherwise, it's a gem hidden in the hills.

A beautiful and serene spot, but I was a bit disappointed by the ticket price — 55 RMB feels steep for what you get. The main hall is impressive, but many smaller halls were closed or under renovation. The staff at the entrance were friendly though. If you're into history, it's worth a visit, but don't expect a fully polished experience.

Tanzhe Temple is absolutely stunning — the ancient cypress trees and the quiet courtyards made me feel like I stepped back in time. The incense smell and the sound of wind chimes were so peaceful. I loved hiking up the hill behind the temple for a panoramic view of the mountains. Definitely one of the best temple visits I've had in Beijing. Highly recommend going early to avoid the crowds!

I went specifically for the 'First Temple Under Heaven' title, and I wasn’t disappointed. The ancient pine trees are incredible – one is said to be over a thousand years old. The parking was easy on a Saturday, though it got busy by noon. The only downside: the food options nearby were limited to basic noodle stalls. Bring your own snacks if you plan to stay long.

Good temple, decent experience, but nothing mind-blowing. The grounds are well-maintained and the history is fascinating (over 1700 years old!). However, I found the audio guide quite bland, and the souvenir shops inside felt a bit too commercial. If you’re into Buddhism or architecture, worth a visit – but don’t expect the wow factor of the Forbidden City.

Peaceful and soulful. I came here on a rainy afternoon and it was magical – the mist clinging to the hills, the smell of wet stone and incense mixing together. The staff were kind and didn't rush us. I lit some incense in the main hall and just sat for 20 minutes listening to the wind chimes. Not a tourist trap at all; felt genuinely spiritual.

Honestly, it was a bit of a letdown. Maybe I hyped it too much after reading reviews, but I found the main halls under renovation, so half the complex was closed off. The ticket price (55 RMB) felt steep for what we could actually see. The temple grounds are pretty, but not remarkably different from other ancient temples around. If you’re short on time, I’d skip it.

Stunning ancient temple with incredible architecture! The ginkgo trees in autumn were absolutely breathtaking, turning the whole courtyard into a sea of gold. We went on a weekday morning and had the place almost to ourselves – pure serenity. The climb up to the pagoda is worth every step for the panoramic views. Definitely a must-see in Beijing if you want a break from the city chaos.

A solid 4-star experience. The temple grounds are serene and well-maintained, but the highlight for me was the vegetarian noodle soup at the temple's canteen — simple, earthy flavors with fresh mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Only 25 RMB for a bowl, which is reasonable. My only complaint is that the temple closes a bit early (around 4:30 PM), so I felt rushed to see the upper terraces. Also, the public restrooms could use some cleaning. Still, a nice day trip overall.

I came in late October specifically for the autumn colors, and Tanzhe Temple did not disappoint. The ancient ginkgo tree in the main courtyard was a blaze of golden yellow — absolutely magical. The cool mountain air, the sound of wind chimes, and the view of the hills covered in red and orange leaves made me forget all my stress. I sat on a stone bench near the bell tower for an hour just soaking it in. Pure bliss. Five stars, no doubt.

Honestly, I was a bit let down. The entry fee is 55 RMB, which feels steep for what you get — a lot of the halls were closed for renovation, and the souvenir shops inside are way overpriced. The temple itself is old and has some charm, but the whole place feels overly touristy. I’ve been to smaller temples in Beijing that cost nothing and felt more authentic. If you're on a tight budget, maybe skip this one and go to the Lama Temple instead.

Really enjoyed my visit here — the temple complex is huge and beautifully preserved. The pagoda forest and the ancient wells are unique. Only reason I’m giving 4 stars instead of 5 is that it was packed on a Saturday afternoon, and the queue for the shuttle bus from the parking lot was nearly 40 minutes. Also, some signage in English would help. Still, the atmosphere and the mountain setting are stunning. Worth the trip from downtown.

Absolutely breathtaking! Walking through the ancient gates of Tanzhe Temple feels like stepping back into the Tang Dynasty. The towering ginkgo trees, the intricate carvings on the eaves, and the faint smell of incense in the air made it a truly spiritual experience. I spent over three hours just wandering the courtyards and reading the inscriptions. If you love history and want a peaceful escape from Beijing’s hustle, this is a must-visit. Can’t recommend it enough!