Bailin Temple 柏林寺Bǎilín Sì

About Bailin Temple

Founded in 1347 and rebuilt in the Ming, Bailin Temple was given a major overhaul in 1713 by Prince Yinzhen, the future Yongzheng Emperor, for his father the Kangxi Emperor's 60th birthday, and was counted among the eight great temples inside the old city. Its main halls survive along a central axis of five courtyards, with Qianlong-era steles and a bronze bell cast in 1707, and for two centuries it stored the woodblocks of the Qing imperial edition of the Buddhist canon.

How to get to Bailin Temple

In Xilou Hutong just east of the Lama Temple, a few minutes' walk from Yonghegong Lama Temple station on Metro Lines 2 and 5. Long used by government institutions, it has opened since 8 August 2026 on the first Saturday of each month, to groups booked in advance through an organisation only, so individual travellers should check the current rules before planning.

Nearby

• Lama Temple 雍和宫 under 10 km
  Incense-filled courtyards and an 18-metre sandalwood Buddha in a working monastery
• Temple of Confucius and Imperial Academy 孔庙和国子监 under 10 km
  Courtyards of stone steles naming imperial exam graduates, beside the old Imperial Academy
• Drum and Bell Towers 钟鼓楼 under 10 km
  Beijing's old timekeeping towers, with drum performances and views over the hutong roofs
• Shichahai 什刹海 under 10 km
  Three linked lakes ringed by hutongs and lakeside bars, with open-air skating in winter
• Prince Gong's Mansion 恭王府 under 10 km
  A Qing courtyard mansion and rock garden, home first to a corrupt minister, then a prince

Also within 20 km: Temple of Earth 地坛 (under 10 km), Wen Tianxiang Temple 文天祥祠 (under 10 km), Zhizhu Temple 智珠寺 (under 10 km), Red Building of Peking University 北京大学红楼 (under 10 km), Guo Moruo Residence 郭沫若故居 (under 10 km), Jingshan Park 景山公园 (under 10 km).

On the map

Open Bailin Temple on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it and what else is close, and to add it to a trip.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)