Pudu Temple

Pudu Temple is a Buddhist temple in Dongcheng District, featuring a main hall supported by 36 columns and topped with a three-tiered roof covered in green and yellow glazed tiles. The complex includes the Ciji Hall, which stands on an ornamental white marble platform carved with traditional floral patterns.

The site originated as a shrine dedicated to the God of the Northern Pole during the Yuan Dynasty, then transformed into Hongqing Palace under Ming rule. The structure retains Manchu-period architectural elements that mark the site's evolution through different dynasties.

The temple serves as an active place of worship where visitors can observe Buddhist rituals and devotional practices. The elaborate carved and painted surfaces throughout the halls reflect the spiritual values and artistic traditions that shaped this sacred space.

The temple is located on the eastern side of Nanchizi Street and can be accessed by public transportation near Donghua Gate. The complex has multiple halls to explore, so allow time to walk through the courtyards and view the interior spaces at a comfortable pace.

This temple is one of eight that encircles the Forbidden City, forming a spiritual perimeter that was believed to protect the imperial palace complex. Many visitors overlook that this ring of temples was intentionally designed as part of a larger cosmological framework.