I discovered this ancient temple in a construction site totally by accident, which is hidden in a deserted factory site. Originally built in Yuan Dynasty nearly 800 years ago, the Hong En Guan was renovated by one of Empress Dowager Cixi’s favorite eunuch as a retreat by late Qing Dynasty. In the past decades, it was used as local food market, coffee shop and a living space for more than 60 families. It is located in the end of the central axis of the ancient Beijing City, also called the “dragon tail”.
Yesterday afternoon, when I witnessed its grandeur, I can hear it sigh with helplessness in the smoke and dust of the construction site. It will be renovated soon again, hopefully with its original beauty kept.
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