Tianning Temple (Beijing)

The Tianning Temple (simplified Chinese: 天宁寺; traditional Chinese: 天寧寺; pinyin: Tiānníng Sì) is a Buddhist temple complex located in Xicheng District of Beijing, in northern China.

This thirteen story, 57.8 m (189 ft) tall, octagonal-based Chinese pagoda is made of brick and stone, yet imitates the design of wooden-constructed pagodas from the era by featuring ornamental dougong (bracket supports).

It rests on a large square platform, with the bottom portion of the pagoda taking on the shape of a sumeru pedestal.

Other ornamental designs include arched doorways and heavenly Buddhist guardians.

The temple grounds surrounding the pagoda have also been renovated and rebuilt several times over the course of the Ming and Qing dynasties.

Relief sculpture on pagoda's southern facade .
A sign−plaque over the temple's front gate.
Panoramic view of the Tianning Temple complex.