Dazhong Temple

The Dazhong Temple, founded in 1733 under the Yongzheng Emperor, is a Buddhist temple in Beijing's Haidian district that today functions as the Ancient Bell Museum. Its name comes from the 46.5-ton Yongle Bell of the early 15th century, one of the largest hanging bells in the world. The bell is inscribed with over 230,000 Chinese characters of Buddhist sutras and was transported here over ice roads and canals. Yongzheng moved the bell from Wanshou Temple to spiritually protect the northern capital. The collection now displays more than 400 historic bells from various dynasties, from tiny temple chimes to massive ritual bronzes. Visitors can view the Yongle Bell beneath its wooden pavilion canopy and experience the courtyard acoustics where monks once held rain-prayer rites.