Hongluo Temple is one of northern China's large old Buddhist temples, founded in the 4th century and long important as both a temple and monastery. It sits below the Hongluo Mountains in Huairou, well outside central Beijing.
The setting is a large part of the appeal. You can combine the temple courtyards with a climb or cable-car ride into the hills, making it a quieter mountain-temple outing than the most famous Great Wall routes nearby.