Jietai Temple is located on Ma'an Mountain in Mentougou District, Beijing. It is a National Key Cultural Relic Protection Unit and a 4A-level tourist attraction. The temple was first built in the 5th year of Tang Wude (622 AD), originally named "Huiju Temple". It was reconstructed during the Xianyong period of the Liao Dynasty (1065-1074) and expanded through successive dynasties of Jin, Yuan, Ming, and Qing, forming the current scale. Jietai Temple is renowned for its Precept Altar, ancient pines, and Buddhist pagodas. The Precept Altar is one of the highest-ranking altar sites in Chinese Buddhist history, known as one of the "Three Great Precept Altars of China" together with the Precept Altars of Kaiyuan Temple in Quanzhou and Zhaoqing Temple in Hangzhou, and it ranks first among them. The temple covers an area of approximately 4.4 hectares, with a construction area of about 8,300 square meters, and has about 360 halls and rooms, making it one of the better-preserved Liao Dynasty temples in the Beijing area.
History and Culture
Jietai Temple has a long history and profound cultural heritage. The Tang Dynasty eminent monk Zhizhou built the temple here, and the Liao Dynasty eminent monk Fa Jun propagated the precepts here, making Jietai Temple the center of the Buddhist Vinaya School in northern China. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Jietai Temple was valued by the royal family, undergoing multiple renovations and expansions. Emperors such as Kangxi and Qianlong visited the temple many times to burn incense and worship Buddha, leaving behind numerous inscriptions and plaques.
The temple preserves a large number of historical relics and ancient sites, such as the Liao Dynasty Precept Altar, Ming Dynasty bronze Buddha, and Qing Dynasty murals. Among them, the Precept Altar was built during the Xianyong period of the Liao Dynasty, with an altitude of 3.5 meters, divided into three layers, and exquisitely carved. It is the largest and most complete existing Liao Dynasty Precept Altar in China. The altar enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha, and there are 113 precept gods around the altar, each with distinct shapes and lifelike appearances.
Jietai Temple is also an important place for Chinese Buddhists to receive precepts, with a large number of Buddhists being ordained here every year. In addition, the ancient pines of Jietai Temple are also well-known. There are many ancient pines with a tree age of more than a thousand years in the temple, such as the "Nine-Dragon Pine", "Tower-Hugging Pine", and "Moving Pine". These ancient pines are not only an important part of the natural landscape but also a witness to history and culture.
Main Attractions
Precept Altar Hall
The Precept Altar Hall is the core building of Jietai Temple, located in the central position of the temple. The Precept Altar in the hall is the largest and most complete existing Liao Dynasty Precept Altar in China, with an altitude of 3.5 meters, divided into three layers, and exquisitely carved with Buddhist patterns and ornaments around. The altar enshrines Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha, and is surrounded by 113 precept gods, which are treasures of ancient sculpture art with different postures and solemn expressions.
Mahavira Hall
The Mahavira Hall is the main Buddhist hall of Jietai Temple, first built in the Liao Dynasty, and the existing building was reconstructed in the Qing Dynasty. The hall enshrines the Three Buddhas of Time, namely Sakyamuni Buddha, Amitabha Buddha, and Medicine Buddha. The Buddha statues are tall and solemn, with kind expressions. The caisson and color paintings in the hall are exquisite and magnificent, with high artistic value.
Qianfo Pavilion Ruins
Qianfo Pavilion was an important building in the history of Jietai Temple, first built in the Liao Dynasty and destroyed during the Republic of China period. On the site of Qianfo Pavilion, a Liao Dynasty stone pagoda and some inscriptions are preserved. The stone pagoda is about 10 meters high, and the pagoda body is carved with many Buddha statues and Buddhist stories, with high historical and artistic value.
Ancient Pines
There are many famous ancient pines in Jietai Temple, among which the most famous are the "Nine-Dragon Pine", "Tower-Hugging Pine", and "Moving Pine". The "Nine-Dragon Pine" is named after the nine obvious lines on its trunk, with a tree age of about a thousand years; the trunk of the "Tower-Hugging Pine" grows around a small tower, with a strange shape; the "Moving Pine" is a lush pine tree, and as long as one branch is pulled, the branches and leaves of the whole tree will shake accordingly, which is very magical.
Food
Jietai Vegetarian Cuisine
Jietai Temple's vegetarian cuisine has a long history and is famous for being light, healthy, and delicious. The ingredients of vegetarian cuisine mainly use fresh vegetables, beans, fungi, etc., and after careful cooking, form a unique flavor. Recommended dishes include vegetarian braised eggplant, vegetarian fried three shreds, mushroom soup, etc. These dishes are not only delicious but also have high nutritional value.
Mentougou Specialty Food
There are many specialty foods of Mentougou around Jietai Temple, such as Mentougou Jingbai Pear, Miaofeng Mountain Rose Tea, Mentougou Scutellaria Tea, etc. Jingbai Pear is a specialty of Mentougou, with thin skin, thick flesh, and sweet juice; Miaofeng Mountain Rose Tea has the effects of beauty and regulating endocrine; Scutellaria Tea has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, anti-inflammatory and antibacterial.
Tickets
The ticket price is 45 yuan per person.
You can search for the official WeChat public account "戒台寺风景区" on WeChat to get the latest updates. As of 2025-06-29, this official WeChat public account does not provide an online ticketing function.
Opening Hours
Jietai Temple is open throughout the year from 8:00 to 17:30 (admission stops at 17:00). During legal holidays and peak tourist seasons, the opening hours may be appropriately extended, and the specific time shall be subject to the announcement of the scenic area.
Tour Route
Recommended tour route: Mountain Gate → Heavenly King Hall → Mahavira Hall → Precept Altar Hall → Qianfo Pavilion Ruins → Guanyin Hall → Dizang Hall → Ancient Pine Group → Exit. This route allows visitors to visit the main buildings and attractions in the temple in turn and understand the history, culture, and Buddhist art of Jietai Temple. The recommended tour time is 2-3 hours.
Transportation
- Bus: Take Subway Line 1 to Pingguoyuan Station, transfer to Bus No. 931 or M44, and get off at Jietai Temple Station.
- Self-driving: Starting from the urban area, you can go via Fushi Road, Lianshi Road, or the West 6th Ring Road, drive along Jingyuan Road, and follow the road signs to reach Jietai Temple. The parking fee for the temple parking lot is 10 yuan per vehicle.
Must-visit Attractions
- Precept Altar Hall: The largest and most complete existing Liao Dynasty Precept Altar in China, an important holy land of the Buddhist Vinaya School. The 113 precept gods on the altar are exquisitely carved and are masterpieces of ancient sculpture art.
- Ancient Pine Group: The temple has many thousand-year-old ancient pines, such as the "Nine-Dragon Pine", "Tower-Hugging Pine", and "Moving Pine", with strange shapes and different postures, which are the perfect combination of nature and history.
- Mahavira Hall: The main Buddhist hall of the temple, enshrining the Three Buddhas of Time. The caisson and color paintings in the hall are exquisite and magnificent, with high artistic value.
Tour Tips
- It is recommended to go in the morning to avoid the peak tourist period, so as to better enjoy the beauty of the scenic area and understand the history and culture.
- Wear comfortable shoes, as there are many steps and mountain roads in the scenic area, requiring a lot of walking.
- When going in summer, pay attention to sun protection and heatstroke prevention, and keep warm in winter.
- You can learn about some Buddhist culture and the history of Jietai Temple in advance to better understand the connotation of the scenic area.
Notes
- Keep quiet when entering the temple, do not make loud noises, and respect Buddhist beliefs and customs.
- Do not smoke or litter in the temple, and keep the environmental hygiene of the scenic area.
- When visiting the Buddhist hall, take off your hat and glasses, and do not take photos or videos to avoid affecting other visitors and damaging cultural relics.
- Obey the guidance and arrangement of the scenic area staff, and do not enter the unopened area without permission.
- In case of an emergency, seek help from the scenic area staff in a timely manner.