Baoguo Temple, Beijing

Baoguo Temple in Beijing is a Buddhist sanctuary featuring traditional Chinese architecture arranged symmetrically across multiple courtyards. The complex contains numerous halls with Buddhist statues, including depictions of Sakyamuni and the Three Saints of the Huayan school.

The sanctuary was originally founded around 880 AD during the Tang Dynasty as Lingshan Temple and received its present name during later imperial periods. This name change reflected shifts in the site's religious importance and administration across the centuries.

The temple centers on Huayan Buddhism, a significant tradition within Chinese Buddhist practice. Visitors encounter Buddhist statues and carved inscriptions throughout the halls, demonstrating how this spiritual approach continues to shape the space today.

Visitors can explore the grounds independently or join guided tours that explain the significance of different halls and structures. It is advisable to wear comfortable shoes and allow time to see all areas of the expansive complex.

The temple houses a fourteen-story bronze pagoda containing roughly 4700 Buddha statues and preserving the complete text of the Huayan Sutra. This pagoda is a rare masterwork of metalwork that shows the deep commitment of followers to spreading this philosophical teaching.