Dongyue Temple is one of the best places for you to learn Chinese folk customs.

Situated on Chaowai Street, Chaoyang District, the Dongyue Temple is renowned as the No.1 Taoist temple in northern China and was originally built in the Yuan Dynasty, more than 600 years ago.

Outside the main gate stands an archway built in the Ming Dynasty. Covered with green glazed tiles, the archway has three gates and seven roofs. Its front and back are carved with the words "Zhi Si Dai Zong" (worshipping the Great Deity of the Mount Tai) and "Yong Yan Di Zuo" (praying for everlasting throne) respectively. These inscriptions are said to be written by Yan Song, a prime minister of the Ming Dynasty. To the east and west of the main gate respectively sit the Drum Tower and Bell Tower, and to the north are two stone tablets awarded by Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). Walking through the main gate, you can see over 600 magnificent, grand, and well-constructed rooms. As one of the three main halls of the temple, the Daizong Hall manifests its magnificence in its red walls and green glazed tiles. The Dongyue Temple houses over 3,000 statues of deities with various forms and vivid facial expression. In the temple also sits a tranquil and elegant garden where exotic flowers and trees are grown.

The Dongyue Temple is not only a renowned Taoist temple, but also a museum with a rich collection of folklore art. It is the best place for you to learn Chinese folk customs.