Dongyue Temple
A Taoist temple of the god of Mount Tai, with judgment halls that show the courts of the underworld.
Practised and told of here
Best time: The lunar new year temple fair; spring and autumn otherwise.
Dongyue Temple, in Chaoyang district, was built in the fourteenth century for the Emperor of the Eastern Peak, who rules the dead. It is now a folk culture museum.
The courts of the dead
Seventy-six departments off the main court show figures of the officials of the underworld, each in charge of a kind of wrongdoing, such as theft, cruelty or lying. The scenes make a map of how Chinese popular religion pictures judgment after death. Lines of old stelae record the gifts of the faithful.
Lucky wishes
Visitors rub old figures, such as a bronze donkey, which is said to cure the part of the body they touch, and tie red ribbons with wishes. A temple fair at the lunar new year includes folk performance and vendors of charms.
Visiting
It is a museum with a living temple function. Respect the places where people light incense and leave offerings.
A respectful visit to Dongyue Temple
Living communities are not a show. Ask before photographing a person or a ceremony, and follow local rules.
- The Daigong Hall See the main hall for the god of the Eastern Peak.
- The judgment halls Walk the side courts of the officials of the dead.
- The stelae Read the inscriptions from the Yuan to the Qing.
Written by the EveryJaadu desk with AI assistance. Background: "Beijing Dongyue Temple" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and ceremonies change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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