The Fayuan Temple

Fayuan Temple, also known as the Source of Law Temple - was built in AD 645 and comprised numerous rooms containing many ancient stone inscriptions, the oldest dating from the 7th century. The temple has witnessed many of Beijing's most significant historical events, including acting as a jail for Emperor Huizong in the 12th century, a site of examination for the highest offices of state, and a botanical garden.

Today, Fayuan Temple serves as a place of prayer and the home of the Buddhist Academy, China's most prominent educational institution. Other highlights include the first courtyard's bell and drum towers, the Hall of the Kings of Heaven with its fine statues, the Mahavira Hall, which houses Buddhas of the present, past, and future represented in 18 Luohan figures. One of the temple's most valuable objects, a Han Dynasty (AD 25-220) ceramic statue in the Dabianjue Tang Hall.

The Zhihua Temple is another Buddhist landmark worth seeing. It is one of the most prominent original Ming-era complexes in Beijing's old town, dating from 1444. The two-story Tathagata Hall (Rulai Dian), named for its statue of the transcendental Buddha (it's also known as 10,000 Buddha Hall because of the many little Buddha figurines adorning the walls), is particularly noteworthy.

Address: 7 Fayuansi Front St, Xicheng, Beijing