Wu Ta Si (Five Pagoda Temple)
More correctly known as Zhenjue Si (Temple of True Awakening), the one ancient building remaining on this site is a massive stone block with magnificently preserved Indian Buddhist motifs carved out of the bare rock. Peacocks, elephants, and dharma wheels adorn the base, which is also decorated with sutras copied out in Sanskrit (the large script) and Tibetan (the small script). The central pagoda has an image of two feet, harking back to an age where artisans could only hint at the presence of Buddha through symbols. The circular pavilion was added by the Qianlong emperor to honor his mother, an act of architectural vandalism which ruined the original simplicity and symmetry of the pagoda. The surrounding courtyard is gradually filling up with stone tombstones, spirit-way figures, and stelae commemorating the construction or renovation of temples; most are refugees from construction and road-widening projects around the capital. The wonderfully curatedShike Yishu Bowuguan (Stone Carving Museum)is at the rear of the complex. Beijijing Aquarium is a 15-minute walk to the northeast.
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| Hours | 9am-4:30pm | |
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| Address | Wu Ta Si Cun 24 | |
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| Location | Haidian District | |
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| Transportation | From Beijing Tushuguan walk south and turn left at the Nanchang Canal; the walk takes 10 min. Bus: 808 from just east of Xi Zhi Men metro stop (201, exit B) to Beijing Tushuguan | |
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| Phone | 010/6217-3836 | |
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| Prices | Admission ¥20 ($2.50) | |