Hongluo Temple is located at the foot of the Hongluo Hill, 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) from Qingchun Road in the north Huairou District. Hongluo means red shells in English. The temple received its name from a legend that two spiral shells gave out red light in the evening. Covering an area of 16.6 acres, it is the largest temple in the northern suburban area of Beijing.
Originally built during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 907), the temple is worth a visit in early summer because of the wild flowers and fresh air. Surrounded by hills dotted with pines and cypresses in different shapes, the temple's tasteful layout creates an atmosphere of quiet contemplation. Around the temple, the scenic area covers an area of 8 square kilometers (3 square miles). It is composed of two parts: two scenic spots and three Buddhist areas.
The two scenic spots refer to Hongluo Hill at the back of the temple and the Qinglong Hill to the east. Hongluo Hill, the natural barrier of the temple, has two peaks with an altitude of 813 meters (2,667 feet). In spring you can enjoy bright-colored pediments and in autumn you can admire the red leaves all over the hill. In Qinglong Hill scenic spot there are ancient pines covering an area of more than 280 acres. Among which there are more than 10,000 ancient trees over 100 years old. It is one of the most important ancient trees group in Beijing. There are stone carvings of twelve animal signs of Chinese birth year and over 100 sets of stone tables and stone stools for tourists to have a rest in the ancient pinewoods.
Three Buddhist areas refer to Hongluo Temple, Boddhisattva Guanyin Temple and 500- Arhat Statues Garden. With a history of more than 1,600 years, the temple was built at the foot of the mountain, facing to the south. Most buildings were built during the Ming (1368 - 1644) and Qing (1644 - 1911) Dynasties. There is a main hall built in three tiers (The Hall of Heavenly Guardians, the Grand Bodhisattva Hall and the There Sages Hall) and four side halls in the east and west, namely the Faith Hall, the Thousand-armed Goddess of Mercy Hall, the Yaoshi Hall and the Damo Hall.
Hongluo Temple has relatively good tourist facilities. The Bamboo Fragrant Restaurant and the restaurant in Hongluo Hill Resort can accommodate a banquet over 500 guests. Hongluo Hill Resort located in the pinewoods, with the architecture of siheyuan (compound with houses around courtyard) and Japanese-style log cabin. There are over 200 beds of different grade, a gymnasium, a Karaoke lounge and conference rooms. In the morning, you can stroll in the pinewoods breathing in fresh air and fully enjoying the relaxation, comfort and romance far from the city.
Entrance Fee: CNY 40 for daytime visiting; CNY 70 for night activities
Bus Routes: Take Bus No. 56, 59, 122, 351, 395, 423, 721, 744 (Branch), 800, 819, 922, 939 or Te 3 and get off at Daguanyuan Stop.
Opening Hours: 07:30 - 17:30 (daytime); 18:00 - 21:00 (night activitives)
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