My Life FIRST｜Exploring Hutongs with a Beijing Native, Dashilan Wudao Street

📍Location: Southwest of Dashilan area, Xicheng District, Beijing. It runs from northeast to southwest. It starts from the intersection of Tieshu Xiejie, Yingtao Xiejie, Tangzi Street, and Hanjia Hutong in the north and ends at Nanxinhua Street in the south. It is 238 meters long and 10 meters wide. During the Qing Dynasty, it was called Wudao Temple, and the street was named after the temple. 🚗Transportation: Shared bicycles are convenient. 👍️Must-visit spot: (Picture 2) Wudao Temple is located at the intersection between Tieshu Xiejie and Yingtao Xiejie, opposite the northeast entrance of the hutong at the west entrance of Hanjia Tan. The temple had a Jade Emperor Hall, with a stele inscribed by Wang Xiangqian, the Minister of War during the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty, stating that this place was the center of the universe. It was considered a place of geomantic significance, so a Jade Emperor Palace was built beside the temple to guard it with various deities. The Jade Emperor Hall no longer exists. Another theory is that the temple was built by eunuchs for Wei Zhongxian to pray for blessings and peace. Legend has it that after the temple was built, a famous person was asked to write an inscription for the military stele, intending to flatter Wei Zhongxian. The person, under authority, dared not refuse but did not wish to praise him. So he wrote: 'The Wudao Temple is the temple of the five deities. People think the tree is in front of the temple, but I think the temple is behind the tree. Why? Please list the names.' The eunuch, not understanding the text, thought it was a masterpiece and had it engraved on stone. The Wudao Temple still exists today, with a two-story rear building. The Wudao Temple is currently not open to the public. In 1965, during the reorganization of street names, Wudao Temple First Street and Wudao Temple Second Street were merged and renamed Wudao Street. 🎟️Tickets: No reservation needed, no entrance fee. 💗Other tips: The culture of southern Beijing is well preserved.