Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain - the second largest hanging temple in China
Last Update: 17th October 2020
Also called North Zen Temple, Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain stands on the Beishan Mountain with an altitude of more than 2,400 meters. As the earliest religious building in Qinghai, the temple was originally a Buddhist temple built in the Northern Wei Dynasty (106 AD). Later it became a Taoist temple due to the prevalence of Taoism. The entire temple is backed by the Beishan Mountain. It is mainly built from the west to the east in the natural fault in the red sandstone in the mountainside.
Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain Fast Facts
- Chinese Name: Beishan Tulou Guan (北山土楼观, Beishansi – 北山寺)
- History: over 1,900 years
- Things to do there: Photography, Hiking, Taoism
- Who visits: Photographers, Hikers, Adventure Enthusiasts
- Time required: 2 – 3 x hours
The Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain includes Lingguan Hall at the foot of the mountain, Wangmu Hall behind the Linggua Hall, Fortuna Hall on the west of Wangmu Hall, Chenghuang Hall on the east of Wangmu Hall, two statues of Buddha’s warriors at the mountainside and Ningshou Pagoda on the top.
In addition to these old buildings and the statues of Buddha at the halls, you could explore the old caves set in the steep mountainside. In the caves, you will find the statues of Chinese Gods, such as Jade Emperor, Avalokitesvara, Manjusri, Samantabhadra, and Guan Yu. The figures of Chinese Gods and the patterns of flowers and landscapes painted on the cave wall are characterized by Han and Tibetan Buddhist painting styles.
Religious events are regularly held at the temple – Tiaoqian (跳欠) on the lunar 14th of January, the lunar 14th of April, the lunar 15th of April, the lunar 6th of June, Zhuanjinfo (转金佛) on the lunar 8th of June, Quantian Shaifo (全天晒佛) on the lunar 22nd of September.
If you are interested to enjoy the religious events, the best time to visit the temple is the lunar 15th of April, the lunar 6th of June, the lunar 8th of June and the lunar 22nd of September. Please note there could be many tourists on these festivals.
The best months to visit are from April to October.
There are a few buses passing by the temple. Therefore, there are a few options.
- Rent a vehicle to the temple. This is the quickest and most direct option.
- Take Bus 10, 11, 19, 21, 43, 84, and Bus 107 to the Stop of Beishan Market (北山市场站). Then, walk to the temple.
- Take tourist express for Beishan (北山专线旅游车) to the mountain.
- Opening hours: 08:00 – 18:00
- As at 17th October 2020, the entrance pricing to the temple is 5 CNY per person. For the latest pricing information, please contact us via email (info@wendyweitours.com)
- Please take care of yourself and your kids as the caves are in the deep mountainside.
- When the temple is repaired, it is not open to the public. Therefore, please figure out whether it is closed during the period of time you are planning to visit.
- Please keep quiet in the temple.
Interested in visiting the Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain on a Tour?
Wendy Wei Tours offers a variety of different packaged tours as well as custom tours including Tulou Temple of Beishan Mountain, among other attractions and destinations. To find out more, please visit our Tours page or Contact Us directly to find out more.