Miaoying Temple

Temple Ancient Buddhist temple with distinctive white pagoda

Beijing’s Miaoying Temple houses the White Dagoba, a 13th-century Tibetan-style stupa. Tourists come for Buddhist architecture, timber halls and courtyard layouts that reflect Yuan- and later-period religious patronage.

Main image

Miaoying Temple is a Buddhist temple in Beijing best known for its prominent white stupa, commonly called the White Dagoba. The stupa dates back to the Yuan dynasty era and is the defining architectural feature of the complex.

The temple complex includes prayer halls and courtyards arranged around the stupa, and is visited for both its religious function and its historic architecture. The White Dagoba is the main focus for visitors and is a notable example of Yuan-period stupa construction.

The temple was established during the period of Mongol rule in China and has been an important Buddhist site in Beijing through successive dynasties. It has undergone repairs and restorations at different times but remains centered on its historic stupa.

Miaoying Temple is located in central Beijing and is accessible from the city’s main transport routes; it sits within the built urban area of the municipality.

  • Common name: The temple is commonly called the White Dagoba Temple and is known for its large stupa visible from surrounding streets.

What to See #

  • White Dagoba: A large white-painted stupa that dominates the temple complex and was originally constructed under the Yuan dynasty; it is a principal focus for visitors and photography.
Miaoying Temple
Miaoying Temple (White Dagoba Temple), 70 Miaoyingfang Hutong, Xicheng District, Beijing, China
39.9235, 116.3571
Daily 8:30-17:00 (last entry 16:30)
CN¥30-50 (approx. $4-7) depending on area and seasonal exhibitions

How to Get to Miaoying Temple #

Located in Xicheng District, west of Beijing’s city center near Yuetan. Nearest subway: Jishuitan (Line 2) with a short taxi ride, or take bus lines that stop near Miaoyingfang Hutong.

Tips for Visiting Miaoying Temple #

  • Visit early in the morning to avoid Beijing's museum crowds and to appreciate the temple's quieter moments.
  • Notice the temple's Yuan-dynasty white pagoda - one of the few surviving elements from the original 1279 construction.
  • Respect photography rules: some halls restrict flash or photography.

Best Time to Visit Miaoying Temple #

Spring and autumn are the most comfortable times to visit for weather and air quality; winter offers dramatic contrasts but colder conditions.

Spring
Mar-May · 5-22°C
Comfortable temperatures and clean air days ideal for exploring temple grounds.
Autumn
Sep-Nov · 10-22°C
Clear skies and pleasant weather; fewer smoggy days than winter.
Winter
Dec-Feb · -5-5°C
Cold but the temple's white dagoba against a pale sky is striking; quieter visitor numbers.

Weather & Climate near Miaoying Temple #

Climate

Miaoying Temple's climate is classified as Cold Semi-Arid - Cold Semi-Arid climate with hot summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -9°C to 31°C. Moderate rainfall (577 mm/year) with a pronounced dry season.

Best Time to Visit
MaySeptemberOctober
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
42°
Warmest Month
-20°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -9°C. Almost no rain.

61 Good

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-9°
51%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

5 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -6°C. The driest month with just 4 mm and partly cloudy skies.

59 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Freezing
C
Temperature
-6°
49%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

4 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.4
UV Index
Low
10.6h daylight

March

March is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 0°C. Light rainfall.

71 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
42%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

10 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.7
UV Index
Moderate
11.8h daylight

April

April is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 8°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.

78 Very Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
21°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

16 mm
Rainfall
3.1 m/s
Wind
Light Breeze
1.0
UV Index
High
13.1h daylight

May

May is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (32 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

85 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 27°
39%
Humidity
Comfortable

Weather

32 mm
Rainfall
2.9 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.2h daylight

June

June is warm with highs of 31°C and lows of 18°C. Moderate rainfall (76 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

77 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
19° 31°
52%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

76 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
14.7h daylight

July

July is the warmest month with highs of 31°C and lows of 22°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (201 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

69 Good

Comfort

27°
Feels Like Warm
27°C
Temperature
22° 31°
64%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

201 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
14.5h daylight

August

August is warm with highs of 30°C and lows of 20°C. Significant rainfall (157 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

71 Very Good

Comfort

25°
Feels Like Warm
25°C
Temperature
20° 30°
67%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

157 mm
Rainfall
1.7 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.3
UV Index
High
13.5h daylight

September

September is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 14°C. Moderate rainfall (45 mm) and partly cloudy skies.

83 Excellent

Comfort

20°
Feels Like Mild
20°C
Temperature
14° 26°
60%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

45 mm
Rainfall
1.8 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.0
UV Index
Moderate
12.3h daylight

October

October is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 7°C. Light rainfall.

79 Very Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
19°
57%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

18 mm
Rainfall
2.1 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.6
UV Index
Moderate
11.0h daylight

November

November is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 0°C. Almost no rain.

71 Very Good

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
10°
55%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

7 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
9.9h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -6°C. Almost no rain.

61 Good

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-6°
53%
Humidity
Humid

Weather

6 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
9.3h daylight

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