Wuta Temple and Stone Carving Art Museum

Directly behind the north exit of the Zoo is a small outdoor museum dedicated to the art of stone craving.  The cravings surround the Zhenjue Temple, otherwise known as the Wuta Temple-- a five pagoda Buddhist temple.  The temple itself is also called the "Temple of Great Religious Awakening" and houses the enlightened Buddha.   Originally builtin in 1473, the temple has undergone several different renovations/reconstructions over the centuries.  Several of the outbuildings were destroyed in the Boxer Rebellion and what remains houses the Stone Carving Art Museum.

To say that this should be a top priority on your sightseeing list would be making this little museum a bit more exciting than it really is. However, I stumbled upon this, having gotten lost looking for the Drum and Bell Towers (which we never did see, though apparently I did a great job of walking around them from every angle).  

What is neat about this exhibit is the row of the tombstones of the Jesuits who were allowed to come into China during the Ming and Qing dynasties for both missionary and modern scientific knowledge to China. In turn the missionaries also brought back to Europe historical accounts of ancient China civilizations and sciences to the Continent.

The tombstones are very tall and describe a person's birth, life, life work, and death.  They would include the contributions and honors a person received during his lifetime as well as their downfall, if any.

Also on display at fanciful creatures and large human soldiers craved to guard important tombs. In the remaining buildings, stone "stamps" can be seen-- with their ink prints next to the images. Basically, an ancient version of a lithograph print. The craved details seen in the printing make these stone scenes quite beautiful.  I wondered around here for a bit, and then followed the river back to a metro station. Having attempted to find other sights to see without success, I figured that my day was over and I would return to where Will had spent his day: working at the National China Convention Center.