Beiyue Temple is also known as Hengzong Hall, Zhenyuan Hall or Yuanling Hall, and it is commonly called Chao Hall for short. The gorgeous old temple is located half way up the mountain side south of Tian Feng Peak with abrupt cliffs at its north end and a deep valley in front of it. Built in 1501 during the reign of Chenghua and Hongzhi in Ming Dynasty, it is the largest as well as the most famous temple among the temple group of Mount Hengshan. 103 stone steps will lead you to the gate of Beiyue Temple – Chongling Gate, which was constructed with Xieshan style with single eaves. Lacquered with red paint and decorated with copper nails, the gate has two halls on both sides, Tsing Lung (Blue Dragon) Hall on the east and White Tiger Hall on the west. In front of the temple stand over 20 stone tablets engraved with memorial words for the royal in Qing Dynasty, which is a precious material for studying Mount Hengshan’s history. The major hall is 5 rooms’ wide and 3 rooms’ deep surrounded by side halls and corridors. The image of Beiyue Emperor wearing balanced coronal and red silk robe is worshipped in the temple. Up above the golden figure of the Beiyue Emperor hangs a plaque with four big characters—Hua Chui You Jiu written by Qing Emperor Kangxi. Four civil officers and four supreme commanders stand on both sides respectively. In addition, there are penthouse, dressing rooms, Canon house and the bell and drum tower near the major hall, which are also worth visiting for tourists.
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