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Ancient Temple Reopens

After a 300 million yuan renovation project, the Imperial Temple of Emperors of Successive Dynasties (Lidai Diwang Miao), was reopened to the public on April 8.

Originally constructed 470 years ago, during the reign of Emperor Jiajing of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), the temple was used by emperors of both the Ming and Qing Dynasty to offer sacrifices to their ancestors.

The temple underwent two periods of renovation in the Qing Dynasty (1616-1911), during the reigns of emperors Yongzheng (1723-1736) and Qianlong (1736-1796). From 1929 until early 2000, it was part of Beijing No. 159 Middle School.

The temple's Jingdechongsheng Hall contains stone tablets memorializing 188 Chinese emperors and 80 important ministers and generals. The jinzhuan bricks used to pave the floor, the same as those used in the Forbidden City, are finely textured and golden-yellow in colour. Jinzhuan bricks were made in Yuyao, Suzhou, especially for imperial use, according to Xi Wei, an official from the Xicheng District government who was present at the re-opening of the temple.