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- Location: Changping District, Beijing

To the west of the Juyong Pass is a white marble structure called the Cloud Platform (居庸關(guān)云臺(tái)) (Yuntai), which was built in 1345 to serve as the foundation for a set of three stone pagodas built at the command of Emperor Huizong, the last ruler of the Yuan Dynasty. The temple was later burned down in 1702 during the reign of Emperor Kangxi.

The Cloud Platform is pierced at the base by a hexagonal arched gateway. Both the ceiling and facades are filled with Buddhist carvings, including depictions of the Four Heavenly Kings with great detail. Texts of Dharani sutras and an inscription entitled "A Record of Charitable and Pious Pagoda Building" are carved in six languages – Lantsha (Nepalese Sanskirt), Tibetan, Phagspa Mongolian, Uygur, Western Xia and Han – and valuable for the study of philology. The inner roof of the arch is covered with mandala patterns and Buddha images surrounded by flowers, all fine examples of Yuan Dynasty craftsmanship.

Travel Tips:

- Hours: 8:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. (high season)

???????????????8 a.m. – 5 p.m. (low season)

- Admission: 45 yuan (April 1 to Oct. 31)

??????????????????????40 yuan (Nov. 1 to March 31)

- How to get there: take No.345 at Deshengmen, get off at Shahe and then transfer to No.68;

?????????????????????????????????Take 919 at Deshengmen, get off at Nankou Dongjie and then transfer to No.68