Baiyun Temple (白云观)

Baiyun Temple, also known asWhite Cloud Temple, is located 1,500 meters southeast of the Muxidi subway station and is the biggest Taoist temple in Beijing. First built in 741 AD, this well-preserved temple has a long and interesting history. One of Beijing’s annual Spring Festival ‘temple fairs’ takes place here every year. The Baiyun temple fair usually starts from Chinese New Year's Day and lasts 18 days–the longest temple fair in the city. Vendors from all over the country come here to show and sell their regional foods, handmade art and crafts, and special Spring Festival products; local performers will put o­n traditional shows of Peking opera, acrobatics and lion dances, as well as modern entertainments. Don’t miss this chance to experience a real Beijing way of celebrating the Spring Festival!

This temple is the center of Taoist activity in Beijing. Its origins date back to the Tang Dynasty, when it was called Temple of the Supreme Ultimate. It became a major Taoist temple after a 13th century master taught, died and was buried here. His disciples renamed the temple White Cloud Temple and the name has stuck. There are still Taoist monks in the temple and they will talk to you. The temple is also the headquarters of the China Taoism Association.