Traditional Chinese religion often took heroes and important figures and deified them in city temples. And, with the strong roots of filial piety in Confucian thought and Chinese culture, emperors were honored as fathers of the nation. The Temple of Ancient Monarchs serves as Beijing’s temple to these patriarchs.
Ming Emperor Jiajing built the temple in the 16th century. The imperial family and other officials offered sacrifices at this temple to honor the ancient and wise leaders of China’s past. They honored emperors, military leaders, and other government officials.
Main Temple Buildings
The complex is very similar to other imperial and Chinese temples with a series of courtyards and halls. The main hall, Jingde Chongsheng Palace, magnificently does the job of housing altars to the various dynasties. Tablets with each emperor’s name stand on top of each altar. The center altar has only three, the three sage kings, fathers of all Chinese people, according to legend. Their names fill myths and legends.
Other buildings flanking this grand hall, were built for lower government officials and military leaders. Exhibits about these men can be seen inside.
Two large four large bixi with stelae guard the hall. They are beautifully carved creatures that you can get right up next to in their pavilions, unlike those at the Confucius Temple.
The Rest of the Temple
Other courtyards are found at the complex and were built as side temples to other families and figures. Today, one of them hosts a hall full of the Chinese family names and where they come from.
The temple is very well kept and was very quiet for being in the middle of the city. It has undergone extensive restoration work, but they left some bits unrestored. This lets you see what it was like before the work was done. If you visit the Baitasi (White Tower Temple), be sure to walk a couple of blocks to the east for this hidden treasure.
