{"id":1869,"date":"2025-06-12T05:33:01","date_gmt":"2025-06-12T05:33:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/?p=1869"},"modified":"2025-06-12T05:50:00","modified_gmt":"2025-06-12T05:50:00","slug":"tianning-temple-history_en","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/","title":{"rendered":"Buddha\u2019s Light Couldn\u2019t Save a Dynasty \u2014 Secrets of Tianning Temple, Beijing\u2019s Oldest Structure"},"content":{"rendered":"<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>\u201cThree hundred sixty lanterns burn bright,<br>Three thousand four hundred bells ring in the wind.<br>Best is the cloud-piercing tower of Tianning,<br>Yet no stairway leads up to the blue beyond.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p>When it comes to religious landmarks in Beijing, most people immediately think of the famous Baiyun Temple. But just across the river from it stands a quiet and far less visited Buddhist site\u2014<strong>Tianning Temple<\/strong>. Hidden in plain sight, this ancient sanctuary houses <strong>the oldest surviving brick pagoda in Beijing<\/strong>, a rare relic from the <strong>Liao dynasty<\/strong>, shrouded in history, legend, and architectural brilliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_75 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseprofile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#Misidentified_as_Sui_Dynasty\" >Misidentified as Sui Dynasty<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#Historical_Turning_Point\" >Historical Turning Point<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#Purpose_Buddhism_or_National_Prayer\" >Purpose: Buddhism or National Prayer?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#Unsolved_Mysteries_Buddhas_Light_Relics\" >Unsolved Mysteries: Buddha\u2019s Light &amp; Relics<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#The_Shadow_of_the_Brahma_Palace_Tower\" >The Shadow of the Brahma Palace Tower<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#Relics_Beneath_the_Tower\" >Relics Beneath the Tower<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#Visiting_Tianning_Temple\" >Visiting Tianning Temple<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#1_Tower_Sculptures\" >1. Tower Sculptures<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#2_Nunnery_Atmosphere\" >2. Nunnery Atmosphere<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#3Flora_and_Practice\" >3.Flora and Practice<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#4_The_%E2%80%9CTwin_Towers%E2%80%9D_View\" >4. The \u201cTwin Towers\u201d View<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/china_travel-en\/beijing-en\/tianning-temple-history_en\/#Conclusion_Historical_Cultural_Significance\" >Conclusion: Historical &amp; Cultural Significance<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Misidentified_as_Sui_Dynasty\"><\/span>Misidentified as Sui Dynasty<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The temple complex of Tianning, in its current form, is relatively new and unremarkable. But the <strong>pagoda within its walls tells a very different story<\/strong>\u2014one tangled in centuries of debate and mystery.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a long time, scholars believed this pagoda dated back to the <strong>Sui dynasty (581\u2013618)<\/strong>, based on an inscription left by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing dynasty. However, this claim lacked solid historical evidence and was regarded with skepticism by modern historians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It wasn\u2019t until <strong>1935<\/strong>, when renowned architects <strong>Liang Sicheng and Lin Huiyin<\/strong> mentioned the Tianning Pagoda in their seminal work <em>Notes on Suburban Architecture<\/em>, that a more rigorous method of dating was proposed. They emphasized the importance of <strong>comparing historical records with architectural features<\/strong>\u2014a foundational method in dating ancient Chinese buildings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the key clues was the pagoda\u2019s shape: an <strong>octagonal design<\/strong>. The oldest known octagonal brick pagoda in China is the <strong>Pagoda of Chan Master Jingzang<\/strong>, built during the <strong>Tang dynasty&#8217;s Tianbao period (742\u2013756 CE)<\/strong>. This comparison strongly suggests that Tianning\u2019s pagoda must have been built in the <strong>Tang dynasty or later<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1855\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854.jpg 720w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Thirteen-story densely eaved pagoda. Pagodas typically have seven levels, making thirteen stories the highest rank.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The Tianning Pagoda is a <strong>thirteen-story structure with densely stacked eaves<\/strong>, a style known as <em>mi yan ta<\/em> in Chinese. Its entire base is intricately carved in the form of a <strong>Sumeru pedestal<\/strong>\u2014a Buddhist architectural element symbolic of the sacred Mount Sumeru. Notably, this design did <strong>not appear in Tang dynasty architecture<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In fact, <strong>most Tang-era pagodas featured stepped corbel eaves<\/strong> (<em>die se chu yan<\/em>) and lacked <strong>dougong<\/strong>\u2014the complex wooden bracket systems that support eaves and roofs. In contrast, the Tianning Pagoda includes a sophisticated arrangement of <strong>dougong beneath the eaves<\/strong>, with components such as <em>jixinzao<\/em> (bracket arms aligned with the main beam) and <em>xiegong<\/em> (angled brackets). These elements <strong>only began to appear around the Five Dynasties period and the early Song dynasty<\/strong>, placing the structure\u2019s likely origin much later than originally thought.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Other architectural features\u2014<strong>the round arched doorways, door panels, carved reliefs, railings, and &#8220;hu men&#8221; (urn-shaped niches) on the Sumeru base<\/strong>\u2014all closely resemble styles from the <strong>Liao and Jin dynasties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>After comparing these stylistic elements, <strong>Liang Sicheng concluded<\/strong> that the pagoda was most likely built in the <strong>late Liao dynasty<\/strong>. Elements such as the <em>hu men<\/em>, guardian figures, and stone lions may have been added or restored during the <strong>Ming or Qing dynasties<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The mystery was finally laid to rest in <strong>April 1992<\/strong>, when the pagoda underwent a major renovation. During restoration work at the top of the tower, <strong>a white marble stele was discovered<\/strong>. After examination, it was identified as an <strong>original Liao-era construction inscription<\/strong>, confirming that the pagoda was completed in the <strong>ninth year of the Tianqing reign (1119 CE)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped wp-block-gallery-1 is-layout-flex wp-block-gallery-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" data-id=\"1856\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854\u5e95\u5ea7.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1856\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854\u5e95\u5ea7.jpg 960w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854\u5e95\u5ea7-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854\u5e95\u5ea7-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa\u5854\u5e95\u5ea7-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"1857\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-\u5854\u96d5\u5851.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1857\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-\u5854\u96d5\u5851.jpg 720w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-\u5854\u96d5\u5851-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-\u5854\u96d5\u5851-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" data-id=\"1858\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Beingjing-Tianning-Si.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1858\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Beingjing-Tianning-Si.jpg 720w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Beingjing-Tianning-Si-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Beingjing-Tianning-Si-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Historical_Turning_Point\"><\/span><strong>Historical Turning Point<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It is worth noting that just one year after the completion of this pagoda, the Liao royal family split apart; four years later, the Liao emperor was captured by the Jin dynasty, signaling the end of the kingdom. This pagoda may have been built to pray for the nation\u2019s fortune, but unfortunately, it brought little luck to the already precarious Liao dynasty. Instead, it became a solemn witness to the fall of a kingdom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Purpose_Buddhism_or_National_Prayer\"><\/span>Purpose: Buddhism or National Prayer?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>During the Liao dynasty, the Tang-era Youzhou (modern Beijing) served as one of the Liao\u2019s five capitals, known as Nanjing (Yanjing).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because the ancient Khitan people believed in Buddhism, and since Tianning Temple stood beside the imperial palace of Yanjing, this tall and magnificent brick relic pagoda was constructed to promote Buddhist teachings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Tianning Pagoda is the oldest surviving brick pagoda in Beijing and stands as a testament to Beijing\u2019s history as the capital of five dynasties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tianning-Temple.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1859\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tianning-Temple.jpg 960w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tianning-Temple-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tianning-Temple-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Tianning-Temple-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Photo taken at the Liao and Jin City Wall Museum<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Unsolved_Mysteries_Buddhas_Light_Relics\"><\/span>Unsolved Mysteries: Buddha\u2019s Light &amp; Relics<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Shadow_of_the_Brahma_Palace_Tower\"><\/span><strong>The Shadow of the Brahma Palace Tower<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During the Ming and Qing dynasties, the \u201cShadow of the Brahma Palace Tower\u201d of Tianning Temple was included among the \u201cEight Scenic Spots of Wanping\u201d in Beijing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It is said that every noon, even when the main doors of the Great Hall of Tianning Temple are closed, sunlight still streams through the cracks, and at that moment, the entire shadow of the Tianning Temple Tower perfectly appears inside. Ancient people said: this is not merely a tower\u2019s shadow, but the gathered radiance of Buddha\u2019s relics captured within the shadow \u2014 the Buddha\u2019s light itself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-1-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1871\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-1-1.jpg 960w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-1-1-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-1-1-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5929\u5b81\u5bfa-1-1-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Relics_Beneath_the_Tower\"><\/span><strong>Relics Beneath the Tower<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>According to legend, after the passing of Buddha Shakyamuni, his disciples, aiming to spread Buddhism in Central China, presented a package of Buddha\u2019s true relics to Emperor Wen of the Sui dynasty. Emperor Wen then decreed that each of the thirty prefectures in Central China build a secret tower to enshrine these relics. Both Famen Temple and Tianning Temple were among these.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, Tianning Temple Tower was rebuilt during the Liao dynasty, several hundred years after the Sui\u2019s Renshou era. The tower itself \u201chas no stairs to climb, as it is solely meant to house Buddha\u2019s relics, not for sightseeing.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As the Liao dynasty is often considered a \u201clost kingdom\u201d with scarce historical records, it remains nearly impossible for modern scholars to verify whether the tower was truly built to protect Buddha\u2019s relics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Given the tower\u2019s long history and significant damage\u2014especially from the Tangshan earthquake\u2014whether such phenomena as the shadow of Buddha\u2019s light actually existed remains uncertain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"960\" height=\"720\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5317\u4eac\u53e4\u5854.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1861\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5317\u4eac\u53e4\u5854.jpg 960w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5317\u4eac\u53e4\u5854-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5317\u4eac\u53e4\u5854-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u5317\u4eac\u53e4\u5854-16x12.jpg 16w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Visiting_Tianning_Temple\"><\/span><strong>Visiting Tianning Temple<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"1_Tower_Sculptures\"><\/span>1. Tower Sculptures<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The lotus flowers, lion heads, and guardian figures carved on the tower are full of dynamic energy and detail. Although weathered by time, their artistic value remains visible\u2014especially on the north side, where Beijing\u2019s persistent northwest winds have caused the most damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"2_Nunnery_Atmosphere\"><\/span>2. Nunnery Atmosphere<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tianning Temple is a nunnery. During my visit, I encountered several female masters. In one meditation hall, a lecture on women\u2019s virtues was underway, attended mostly by middle-aged women. The atmosphere was calm and authentic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"3Flora_and_Practice\"><\/span>3.Flora and Practice<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>During the blooming season, the temple\u2019s flowers are in full bloom. Nearby, a master practiced qigong amidst the flowers, creating a scene full of serene movement and meditative grace.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"720\" height=\"960\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Flower-Tianning.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1862\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Flower-Tianning.jpg 720w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Flower-Tianning-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Flower-Tianning-9x12.jpg 9w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 720px) 100vw, 720px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"4_The_%E2%80%9CTwin_Towers%E2%80%9D_View\"><\/span>4. The \u201cTwin Towers\u201d View<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Next to the temple stands a tall smokestack from a former thermal power plant. While some visitors feel it disrupts the ancient landscape, this chimney has coexisted with Tianning Temple Tower for nearly 40 years, gradually becoming an unconventional landmark itself.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"401\" height=\"262\" src=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u4f5b\u6559\u820d\u5229\u5854.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1863\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1;width:401px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u4f5b\u6559\u820d\u5229\u5854.png 401w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u4f5b\u6559\u820d\u5229\u5854-300x196.png 300w, https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/\u4f5b\u6559\u820d\u5229\u5854-18x12.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 401px) 100vw, 401px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Conclusion_Historical_Cultural_Significance\"><\/span>Conclusion: Historical &amp; Cultural Significance<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As Beijing\u2019s oldest brick tower, Tianning Temple Tower showcases the exquisite craftsmanship of the Liao dynasty and reflects the evolution of northern Buddhist culture alongside the rise and fall of empires. This \u201ctower you cannot climb\u201d silently stands in a corner of the modern city, quietly guarding the echoes of history.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Discover Tianning Temple Tower: Beijing\u2019s Oldest Brick Pagoda and the Secrets of the Liao Dynasty<br \/>\nStep into history with Tianning Temple Tower, the oldest surviving brick pagoda in Beijing and a rare architectural gem from the Liao dynasty. Uncover the fascinating stories behind its mysterious origins, exquisite carvings, and the legends of Buddhist relics it may protect. Explore how this ancient tower has witnessed centuries of dynastic rise and fall, standing silently amid the modern cityscape. Dive deeper into the hidden cultural treasures and untold mysteries of Tianning Temple\u2014an unforgettable journey for history buffs and architecture enthusiasts alike.<\/p>","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1873,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[161,21],"tags":[165,98],"class_list":["post-1869","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-beijing-en","category-china_travel-en","tag-beijing","tag-china-en"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1869"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1869\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1873"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1869"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1869"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/roamingtianya.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1869"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}