Located on the eastern side of the Fragrant Hills, the temple was built in the 7th century during the heyday of the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It was enlarged during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) to accommodate a huge bronze reclining Buddha, cast in 1320 and weighing 25,000 kilograms.
The 5.2-meter-long Sleeping Buddha depicts Sakyamuni, one of the founders of Buddhism. Surrounding it are 12 sculptures illustrating 12 of Sakyamuni's disciples mourning him.
Address: Wofuosi Lu, Fragrant Hill, Haidian District, Beijing
Tel: +86 10 6259 1283, 6259 8771
How to Get There: Buses/Subway: 318, 333, 360, 714, 737, 904, Te 5
(China.org.cn August 24, 2007)
