Temple of Ancient Monarchs

Located on the north side of Fuchengmen Inner Street in Xicheng District, the Temple of Ancient Monarchs is a place for worshipping the emperors of successive dynasties during Ming and Qing dynasties. It is a national cultural heritage under special protection now.

When Ming Dynasty established its capital in Nanjing, Emperor Hong Wu founded an imperial temple to pay homage to the emperors and founding fathers of successive dynasties. When Emperor Cheng Zu of Ming Dynasty moved the capital to Beijing, he established the temple at the former site of Baoan Temple inside the Fucheng Gate. After that, the temple was repaired respectively in the 9th year under the reign of Jia Jing of the Ming Dynasty (1530) and in the 7th year under the reign of Yong Zheng of the Qing Dynasty (1729). During the reign of Shun Zhi and Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty, number of worshipped emperors was increased to 167, and that of meritorious minister to 79, from Fuxi and Xuanyuan (mythical emperors) down to emperors and meritorious minister of successive dynasties. But foolish, assassinated and self-indulgent emperors wouldn't be included in the list of worship.

The temple faces the south with a total building area of about 4000 square metres. A brick screen wall with glazed title top stands in front of the main gate. Between main gate and hall are Jingde Gate, Stele Pavilion, etc. The main hall is the most magnificent building of the temple with green tile paved multi-eaves gable and hip roof as well as a white marble railing in front of the hall. Formerly, there were 11 niches for holding the memorial tablets of worshipped emperors in the hall. It is a larger existing ancient building in Beijing.