The Zongjing Dazhao Temple

The Zongjing Dazhao Temple is located within the Xiangshan Park in Beijing, at No. 40 Mai Mai Street, Haidian District, Beijing. Also known as the Zhao Temple, it means 'Temple of the Honored'. It was built in the 45th year of the Qianlong reign of the Qing Dynasty for the Sixth Panchen Lama, Lobsang Palden Yeshe, who came to Beijing to celebrate Emperor Qianlong's 70th birthday. The Zhao Temple served as the summer residence of the Panchen Lama, hence it was also known as the Panchen Lama's Summer Palace. Covering an area of 9,100 square meters, the temple complex is a mix of Han and Tibetan Lamaist architectural styles, consisting of buildings such as the glazed tile archway, the Qingjing Fazhi Hall, the White Platform, the Octagonal Heavy Eaves Imperial Stele Pavilion, the Red Platform, the Dugang Hall, and the Wanshou Seven-Layered Octagonal Glazed Tower. Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty placed great importance on the Sixth Panchen Lama's visit to Beijing, constructing three palaces for him at Xiangshan, the Western Yellow Temple in Beijing, and Chengde, bestowing numerous Buddha statues, treasures, and jewelry, and spending much time in his company. On September 19th of the 45th year of the Qianlong reign, the Sixth Panchen Lama held an eye-opening ceremony for the completion of the Zhao Temple and personally inscribed the poem 'Six Rhymes of the Zhao Temple'. In the 10th year of the Xianfeng reign, the Zhao Temple was plundered and burned by the Anglo-French allied forces, leaving only remnants such as the glazed tile archway, the flagpole stone base, the White Platform, stone steles, the Red Platform, and the glazed tower. The Zhao Temple is a testament to national unity and ethnic solidarity, with great cultural and historical research value.