Huangwa Temple of Wealth in Beijing

Huangwa Temple of Wealth, also known as Huangwa Zengfu Temple of the God of Wealth (黄瓦增福财神庙), is located at No. 117 Gulou East Street in Dongcheng District, Beijing, just east of the southern entrance to Beiluoguxiang and a short distance from the Drum Tower. This small Taoist temple dates back to the late Ming Dynasty and is one of the city’s lesser-known places of worship dedicated to the God of Wealth.

According to local folklore, Prince Yong (the future Yongzheng Emperor) once took shelter from the rain here and made a wish. After ascending the throne, he reportedly ordered the temple’s original grey-tiled main hall to be replaced with bright yellow glazed tiles reserved for imperial use. The temple subsequently became known as Huangwa Temple, meaning the “Yellow-Tiled Temple.” It is one of the relatively few temples dedicated to the God of Wealth in Beijing associated with yellow glazed roof tiles.

For many years, the temple buildings were occupied by local residents, and only the main hall survived. Restoration work was completed in 2005, and the temple officially opened to the public at the end of 2024. Although small in scale, the temple stands out for its red walls and yellow roof tiles, tucked beside the old city’s traditional hutong lanes. Its main focus is folk blessing culture, especially prayers for financial stability, career success, and professional advancement. It has also become a popular stop for visitors exploring the Drum Tower hutong area on a citywalk.

Highlights of Huangwa Temple of Wealth

The Main Hall with Yellow Glazed Roof Tiles

Only the three-bay, gable-roofed main hall remains of the original temple complex. Its most distinctive feature is the bright yellow glazed-tile roof set against the red walls. The roof ridge is decorated with chiwen (鸱吻, mythical ridge ornaments) and other roof beasts, while the architectural paintings remain well preserved. In traditional China, yellow glazed tiles were closely associated with imperial architecture, and their use in ordinary religious buildings was rare. This striking roof is the temple’s most notable architectural feature.

Inside the main hall is a statue of Li Guizu (李诡祖), the God of Increasing Blessings and Wealth, traditionally worshipped as a God of Wealth associated with legitimate income and financial prosperity. Historically granted an official title by the imperial court, Li Guizu is regarded as a civil God of Wealth. Other accompanying deities are also enshrined in the hall. Photography is prohibited inside the main hall, but visitors may take pictures of the temple’s exterior walls and the outside of the entrance gate.

The Auspicious Coin Wish-Making Ritual

Visitors can receive a commemorative auspicious coin free of charge upon entering the temple. After making a wish, they can place the coin into a Treasure-Gathering Basin (聚宝盆), a symbolic ritual that forms one of the temple’s distinctive blessing experiences.

Interpretive panels around the courtyard introduce traditional folk beliefs and customs, including the culture of the God of Wealth, the Five Elements, the Treasure-Gathering Basin, and the Money Tree. These displays offer a brief introduction to traditional Chinese beliefs surrounding wealth, good fortune, and prosperity.

Cultural and Creative Workshop

The Huangwa Zengfu Workshop (黄瓦增福工坊) in the courtyard sells blessing-themed cultural and creative souvenirs. Items include coin-shaped pendants, good-fortune plaques, miniature gold ingot ornaments, and red blessing cords. These make small keepsakes or gifts to take home, and all purchases are entirely optional.

A Quiet Temple Beside Beijing’s Historic Hutongs

The temple is right next to Beiluoguxiang, making it an easy stop during a hutong walk. Although it sits amid the bustle of central Beijing, the small temple offers a quieter atmosphere away from the main streets. After visiting, you can step directly into the nearby lanes and stroll among traditional neighbourhood streets, experiencing the everyday charm and local character of old Beijing.

Practical Visitor Information

• Address: No. 117 Gulou East Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing, east of the southern entrance to Beiluoguxiang.
• Opening hours: 09:00–17:30, with last entry at 17:00. Closed on Mondays; open as usual on statutory public holidays.
• Admission: Free, with no advance reservation required. Incense, blessing items, and cultural souvenirs are available for purchase at visitors’ discretion; there is no compulsory spending.
• Recommended visit duration: 30–40 minutes. The temple is very small and is best visited as a short stop during a hutong walk.
• Guided tours: There is no regular in-person guiding service. Visitors can read the interpretive panels in the courtyard to learn about the temple’s history and traditional folk culture.

How to Get to Huangwa Temple of Wealth

1. By Subway (Recommended): Take Beijing Subway Line 8 to Shichahai Station and leave through Exit A2, then walk for approximately five minutes. Alternatively, take Line 6 to Nanluoguxiang Station, leave through Exit E, and walk about 400 metres north.
2. By Bus: Take Bus 107 to Baochao Hutong Stop. Alternatively, take Bus 104, 108, or 124 to Andingmennei Stop and walk for a few minutes.
3. By Car: Parking spaces in the hutongs around Gulou East Street are extremely limited, and traffic congestion can be severe. Driving is strongly discouraged; taking the subway or cycling is a more convenient option.

Recommended Itineraries

A Relaxed Hutong Walk (30–40 Minutes)

Begin at the temple gate and admire the red walls and yellow-tiled roof from outside, taking exterior photographs before entering the courtyard. Read the interpretive panels, then visit the main hall to pay respects or make a wish, remembering that photography is not permitted inside. Collect a commemorative auspicious coin and place it in the Treasure-Gathering Basin as part of the wish-making ritual. If you wish, browse the cultural and creative souvenirs before leaving the temple and continuing your walk along Beiluoguxiang.

A Half-Day Tour of the Drum Tower Area and Beijing’s Central Axis

Combine a visit to Huangwa Temple of Wealth with the Drum Tower (鼓楼), Bell Tower (钟楼), Beiluoguxiang, and the northern entrance to Nanluoguxiang. This route brings together historic architecture, traditional hutong neighbourhoods, and local Beijing street life in one half-day outing.

Travel Tips

Best Time to Visit and Take Photos

Spring and autumn generally offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the hutongs. For exterior photography, the soft light between 14:00 and 16:00 is particularly suitable; the view of the yellow roof and red walls from across the street can make for an attractive composition. Around the Spring Festival, hanging lanterns add a festive atmosphere, although visitor numbers tend to increase. Weekdays are usually quieter and may be preferable for those seeking a more peaceful visit.

Temple Etiquette and Blessing Customs

Please remain quiet inside the main hall and avoid disturbing other visitors. Photography of the deities inside the hall is prohibited, while the exterior red walls and entrance gate may be photographed. The temple’s blessing customs focus on legitimate income and financial well-being, as well as success in one’s career, salary, or business. Purchasing incense or other offerings is optional and not compulsory.

Safety and Preservation

The temple occupies a small space, so visitor numbers can become concentrated during public holidays. Follow the flow of people and move carefully through the courtyard. Help protect the historic architecture by avoiding scratches, marks, or other damage to the walls and roof tiles.

Food and Accommodation

There are no dining facilities inside the temple. Gulou East Street and Beiluoguxiang offer a variety of dining options, including traditional Beijing snacks, cafés, and restaurants serving zhajiangmian (炸酱面), Beijing-style noodles with soybean paste. Since the temple is in Beijing’s historic city centre, many visitors come for a day trip. If you plan to stay nearby, consider hotels or guesthouses around Shichahai or Nanluoguxiang.

Combining Nearby Attractions

Huangwa Temple of Wealth is easy to incorporate into a full day of hutong exploration. Consider combining it with the Drum Tower, Bell Tower, Shichahai, and Nanluoguxiang for a leisurely route through Beijing’s historic streets, traditional architecture, and neighbourhood culture.