Tōngjiào Sì 通教寺

东直门北小街针线胡同19号
Part of A Better Guide to Běijīng’s coverage of North and East of the Imperial City

This is a small, functioning three-hall temple rather than a tourist destination, where the attendants who allow you in are obviously devout. There’s the odd visible monk or novice, and you may not get into the main hall if there’s prayer or teaching going on. Reopened in November 2007, The temple is concealed behind a long grey wall on the east of Dōng Zhí Mén Běi Xiǎojiē, a short walk north of the 24-hour food street of Dōng Zhí Mén Nèi Dàjiē, just inside the northeast corner of the Second Ring Road.

Since, unusually, it faces east, it must be entered from the far end from hútòng running along either its north or south side (the latter a hiding place for police vans when Party conferences are in session).

According to the occupants, the temple was originally Míng (1368–1644), spent a period in the Qīng as a nunnery, and was restored during the Republic. Now it’s a peaceful little courtyard with the odd chiming bell and the whirring of pigeons, overlooked by new residential buildings and neighbouring a small park.

▶ Zhēnxiàn Hútòng 19, t 6405 5918, 8.30am–3pm. Free. m Yōnghé Gōng (Lines 2 & 5) exit C, walk E then S; m Dōng Zhí Mén (Lines 2, 10, & Airport Express) exit A, walk W then N. b to 东直门北小街南口: 406, 612, 674.

Walk north to the main road, Mín’ān Jiē, and turn right (east) one block to find the Dormition Church within the compound of the Russian Embassy on the north side of the street (prior appointment and passport needed).

Next in North and East of the Imperial City: Tōngjiào Sì
Previously: Confucianism (story)
Main Index of A Better Guide to Beijing.

For discussion of China travel, see The Oriental-List.