Zhenjue Temple

Located at No.24 Wutasi Village on the north bank of Gaoliang River east of Baishi Bridge in Haidian District, Zhenjue Temple is famous for a vajra-based pagoda that has five small pagodas standing on a pedestal. So it is commonly called Wuta (five pagodas) Temple. Zhenjue Temple was built during the reign of Yong Le of the Ming Dynasty, and rebuilt in the 16th year under the reign of Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty (1751). In order to avoid referring to the name of Emperor Qian Long (a taboo in ancient China), the temple was renamed as Dazhengjue Temple in the 26th year under the reign of Qian Long of the Qing Dynasty (1761).

The temple was burnt down at the end of the Qing Dynasty with only the vajra-based pagoda left. The pagoda was built by imitating Indian Buddha Gaya Vihar in the 9th year under the reign of Cheng Hua of the Ming Dynasty (1473). It is a masonry construction. Lower part is a vajra base with an arched gate furnished on both front and back. A spiral stone stair is furnished to give access to the top of the vajra base. Standing thereon are five small stone pagodas and a glazed square-body and round-roof pavilion with Buddha figures, Sanskrit alphabets and religious designs carved. The pagoda has Indian architectural style while its structure and carving technique are of traditional Chinese style. The temple is the site of Beijing Stone Carvings Art Museum now. It is a national cultural heritage under special protection.