Temple of Azure Clouds is situated in the eastern part of the Western Hills, just outside the north gate of Xiangshan Park (Fragrant Hill Park),
which is 20 kilometers from Beijing City.

Temple of Azure Clouds initially built during the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368) and was taken reconstruction
during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The interior buildings almost retain the style of the Ming Dynasty
(1368 - 1644) completely.

The temple buildings are on the gradually sloping hillside and, from the temple’s main gate at the foot of
the hill to the highest point, rise almost 100 meters. It was built on six different levels, and each of the
interconnecting courtyards has a special character.

The most famous buildings inside the temple, however, are the Sun Yat - sen Memorial Hall, the Five
Hundred Arhats Hall and the Vajra Throne Tower.

The Yat - sen Memorial Hall is a red wooden plaque hanging above the front gate. Inside this hall lies an
empty crystal coffin presented by the USSR government in 1925 in memory of Sun Yat- sen, but his body
had already been buried elsewhere. A sculpture of the revolutionary man himself and his achievements are also noted in an exhibition there.

The Five Hundred Arhats Hall located on the west side. There are altogether 500 gilded wooden images and
seven Buddhas in the hall. Each of these fine specimens of Qing Dynasty woodcarving has its own individual
personalities and expressions.

The magnificent Vajra Throne Tower is the highest building in the Temple of Azure Clouds. This 35 meter-high
tower with elegant decorations is well-known within the area of Beijing for its high elevation, it has a perfect
observational position to view all the scenery in the suburbs of Beijing City.