In the shadow of the Yangtai Mountains, where the hamlet of Beianhe drowses amid lush groves of peach and cherry trees, a sparkling, bright stream rushes down from the peaks – only to be captured with-in this charming temple. The stream flows to a deep central pond where worshippers of the Buddha come each year to release goldfish and turtles to demonstrate compassion and receive blessings. The original “Magic Spring Temple” was built on this site during the Liao dynasty (907-1125 AD). Since then, it’s been continu-ously restored – right up until the present day when it has been unceremoniously revised as a site for a snazzy restaurant and pretty teahouse. The rest of the Ming complex, designed as a series of increasingly grand halls, is a lovely little place rife with historical treats. The largest hall is set with an inscription in the hand of Qianlong, and more imperial calligraphy adorns the fourth building – once a library of sacred texts and cur-rently a museum – left by the First Prince Chun, whose tomb can be found nearby. Behind this hall, you’ll find a modest rear courtyard, where you can relax at the edge of the spring that inspired it all. Qi Wang Cem-etery (七王坟) is just north of Dajue Temple. Daily 8am-5pm. RMB 20. Beianhe Village, Haidian District. (6245 6163) 大觉寺，海淀区北安河乡 Approx. distance: 30km Bus: Take Bus 330 or 346 from the Summer Palace bus station to Wenquan (温泉). From there, change to Bus 633 to Dajuesi or walk straight ahead for about 2km. Driving or hiring a taxi is recommended for seeing additional nearby sites not serviced by public bus routes. If you’ve not arrived by taxi, on weekdays it may be difficult to find one in the area. Car: Follow directions for Fenghuang Mountain (above); after turning left onto Beiqing Lu, head west past Sujiatuo Intersection, then follow the signs. Approx. distance: 30km Bus: Take Bus 330 or 346 from Yiheyuan (the Summer Palace) bus station to Wenquan(温泉). From there, change to Bus 633 to Dajuesi (大觉寺) or walk straight ahead for about 2km. Driving or hiring a taxi is recommended for seeing additional nearby sites not serviced by public bus routes. If you’ve not arrived by taxi, on weekdays it may be difficult to find one in the area. Car: Take Badaling Expressway from Madian Qiao on North Third Ring Road, exit at Beianhe (Exit 9), turn left onto Beiqing Lu at the first stop light, head west past Sujiatuo Intersection, then follow the signs.