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Beijing Tianning Temple

Iconic Brick Pagoda

Tianning Temple was built in the period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty. The temple originally had a wooden pagoda for storing Buddhist relics then it was changed into a brick pagoda with a height of 57.8 meters and 13 floors in the Liao Dynasty. The pagoda is carved with beautiful statues of Guardians and Bodhisattva of high historical and artistic value.

The full name of Tianning Temple 天宁寺 is Tianning Temple Built by Imperial Command. It was built in the period of Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty (471-499), and a wooden pagoda was added to the temple during the reign of Emperor Wen of the Sui Dynasty to store the Buddhist relics.

In the Liao Dynasty (1119-1120), the wooden pagoda in the temple was changed to A Multi-eaved Brick Pagoda, with a height of 57.8 meters and 13 floors. The octagonal pagoda is covered with Statues of Guardians and Bodhisattvas, the carving work is exquisite and very characteristic of the times. When the tower was first built, 2,928 wind bells were hanging under the eaves, with a total weight of 10,492 pounds. Whenever the wind blows in the city, the ringing sound from the copper bells spreads through the nearby streets and alleys.

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The Tianning Temple Pagoda used to be an essential part of the ancient Beijing skyline, until a taller modern chimney was erected nearby.

In addition to this 900-year-old relic pagoda, Tianning Temple also has the Hall for Guidance to the Pure Land, the Hall of Maitreya, and the Hall of Medicine Buddha, which are dedicated to Amitabha Buddha, the Western Trinity Buddha, and the Medicine Buddha.