Two Beijing temples listed as cultural heritage sites are reportedly running illegal private clubs that provide elite members with opulent dining and accommodation services.

The Songzhu Temple and Zhizhu Temples date back to the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) and are located on Shatan Beijie in the capital's Dongcheng district, not far from the Forbidden City.

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A local resident told the Global Times that although the temples are not open to the public, there have been people entering who drive up in luxury cars.

In a large dining room in the Zhizhu Temple, a chair is on display that is carved with inlaid dragons - an imitation of an emperor's throne. An employee at the restaurant in the temple said that the throne is a replica of the original one in the Forbidden City. The temple reportedly also features a stage for performing Peking Opera for "officials" who visit the restaurant.

The report said that the restaurant typically charges at least 800 ($129) yuan per person, with dinners reportedly costing as much as 2,000 yuan ($323).

The Global Times also found a Western-style restaurant named Temple Restaurant Beijing in the Zhizhu Temple. An employee there said that the average per-person spend is at least 500 yuan, exclusive of a 15 percent service charge.

"Many customers come here because they enjoy how we combine Western and Eastern elements," said the employee.

The Beijing Religious Affairs Bureau and Beijing Buddhist Association said that they will punish those using religious venues for profit if that use raises a strong public reaction or causes negative social impact.

Employees at the restaurant inside Songzhu Temple denied that they are running a private business. Last year, the temples' use for commercial purposes was exposed in media reports. The Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage (BMACH) said they have also sent inspectors to investigate, but that those results have yet to be released.

"Business operations in the temples do not belong to our jurisdiction. We are only responsible for the protection and repair of the cultural relics inside them," a publicity officer with The Beijing Municipal Administration of Cultural Heritage told the Global Times. 

TagsBeijing Temples Accused of Running Illegal Private Clubs, Songzhu Temple, Zhizhu TempleZhizhu Temple, on Shatan Beijie, Dongcheng, Forbidden City, Beijing Religious Affairs Bureau, Beijing Buddhist Association