White Pagoda Temple

Located at the Xicheng District inside Beijing City, Baitasi (White Pagoda Temple) got its name from an old white Pagoda in the temple.

Baitasi (White Pagoda Temple) is over 700 years old, built in the latter half of the 13th century during the reign of Kublai Khan.Emperor Shizu of the Yuan Dynasty. Baitasi originally had the name DashengShouwan'ansi (Temple of Great Holy Longevity and Eternal Peace). After the reconstruction in 1 457 during the Ming Dynasty. the temple was named Miaoyingsi (Temple of Divine Retribution). However, the common people call the temple by its more popular name, the Baitasi.

The White Pagoda in  Baitasi (White Pagoda Temple) is more famous than the temple itself. It is the largest and oldest Pagodas of its kind in Beijing. According to historical accounts. The Pagoda was first built in 1 096 of the Liao Dynasty, and was COnside rably expanded and elaborately redecorated in 1 271 during the Yuan Dynasty, designed by and constructed under the supervision of a famous Nepalese architect named Anika. Previously, Pagodas of this style were rare in China. It was a Lamaist Pagoda and representative of earliest Buddhist Pagodas, as well as a combination of Chinese and Nepalese cultures.

White Pagoda in Baitasi

The White Pagoda in Baitasi raises a height of 50.9 meters, making it 15 meters taller than the Pagoda in Beihai Park. It is composed Of three major parts: an 810-square-meter base, an inverted-alms-bowl shaped body, and a steeple. The base has three tiers, the upper two tiers forming a Sumeru pedestal, shaping a huge lotus support for the superstructure.

The body of the Pagoda is like an inverted alms bowl. The upper part of the structure is a steeple like the tip of an auger, and 13 broad circular bands Of molding, called "The Thirteen Heavens", divided its surface. It is topped with a round, engraved copper canopy, the edge of which is hung with bronze bells and other Buddhist ornaments, making it look like a gigantic tasseled umbrella. Perching on the canopy is a gilded Lamaist pagoda. During the 1978 renovation, a number of valuable Buddhist cultural relics including scriptures written by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty and little carved Buddhas figures, were discovered.

White Pagoba Temple Tour

Baitasi (White Pagoda Temple) is very near to Beijing Financial Street, after visiting Baitasi, tourists could walk along the famous commercial street in Beijing to feel the prosperity of modern Beijing.