Temple of Ancient Monarchs, Ancestral temple in Xicheng District, China

The Temple of Ancient Monarchs stands at 131 Fuchengmennei Street, facing south along a north–south axis that runs from a 32.4-metre glazed-tile spirit screen through three stone bridges and the red-doored temple gate to Jingde Gate and the Jingde Chongsheng Hall, the main hall flanked by four stele pavilions and east and west side halls, with a small Guandi shrine in the west courtyard.

The first Temple of Ancient Monarchs was built in 1373 under the Hongwu Emperor south of Qintian Mountain in Nanjing, honoring 17 founding rulers. In 1530 the Jiajing Emperor ordered a new temple in Beijing on the former site of Bao'an Temple inside Fuchengmen; it opened in 1531 and became China's only imperial temple for these rites. Under the Qianlong Emperor the roster reached 188 monarchs, and the last sacrifice was held in 1911.

This temple served as a place of state reverence where emperors performed rituals honoring deceased rulers from earlier times. The ceremonies conducted here demonstrated the continuity between the living throne and the ancestors who came before.

The temple is accessible on foot or by public transportation, and visitors can explore the grounds at their own pace throughout the week. Weekday visits tend to be quieter, making it easier to appreciate the site without large crowds.

Stone inscriptions at the temple entrance in multiple languages instruct visitors to dismount from horses as a mark of respect. This unusual carving reveals how deeply the tradition of honoring ancient sages was embedded in the site's sacred purpose.