WHAT: Dark History: a walking tour of the eunuchs' tombs and Fahai temple in western Beijing, jointly organized by Bizarre Beijing and RASBJ (in-person)

WHEN: Saturday, July 30, 2022 from 10 AM - 12:30 PM (approximately) Beijing Time

WHERE: Tour starts 10 AM at the entrance to the Tian Yi Tomb at #80 Moshikou Street, (Jin Fahai Temple Park Zaoshi), Shijingshan, Beijing tel: 8872 4148 or 8872 2585 田義墓，模式口大街80号，石景山区，北京市. Its about 30 kilometers from the city center, and the nearest subway station is Jin'anqiao, on Lines 6, S1 and 11 after Pingguoyuan.

MORE ABOUT THE EVENT: Unravel the mysteries of this obscure area of Beijing as we tour the eunuchs' graveyard and Fahai temple in Shijingshan -- and learn the dark history of this unique corner of the Chinese capital. Jim Nobles and Tario Perez will provide expert commentary on the role of eunuchs in the Chinese court, where they often wielded great influence as in other cultures including Rome, Egypt, Greece and Persia. The tour includes:

-- a walk through the eunuchs' necropolis, including a restored underground burial chamber, around the tomb of Tian Yi (1534-1605), who served three Ming emperors. He was a favorite of Wan Li, who accorded his loyal retainer's tomb with some of the features of an imperial mausoleum. Don't miss the vivid and exquisite stone carvings of dragons, lions, deer and plants.

-- the Moshikou Laoye Temple where we can take a short break and visit the museum;

-- the lonely and isolated Li Tong Taijian Tomb;

-- and finally Fahai Temple, a Ming Dynasty compound built with funds raised by the eunuch Li Tong. The temple is famous for its frescoes featuring subtle and well-preserved depictions of human figures. (The frescoes sometimes are closed to the public; if they're open, attendees may view them by paying the temple's RMB 100 viewing fee).

NOTE: It'll be hot! Please wear appropriate clothing and walking shoes and consider carrying a sunhat, sunblock and water. Many people prefer to avoid the heat of the day, so the official tour ends around 12:30 PM at the Fahai Temple. However those who wish to view the temple frescoes can do so on their own by paying the temple's viewing fee of RMB 100, which is NOT included in our event's registration fee. Those who to wish to explore further can also visit another nearby temple with a modest Peking Opera museum, and/or pop into a local restaurant for an a la carte lunch, each at their own expense.

HOW MUCH: 230 RMB for RASBJ members, 330 RMB for non-members. This price includes the entrance fee to the Tian Yi Tomb. It does NOT include transportation, lunch, or the RMB 100 additional fresco-viewing fee inside Fahai Temple.

HOW TO JOIN: No later than Wednesday, July 27, please click "Register" or "I Will Attend" and follow the instructions. After successful registration you'll receive a confirmation email; if you seem not to have received it, check your spam folder. Please register with the same name as is shown on your passport, PRC ID card, or Hong Kong/Macao/Taiwan residents' mainland travel permit -- and provide the number on this document as required by the venue (which must observe limits on daily visitor numbers). Be sure to bring the same identification document on the day of the tour.

ANTI-COVID RESTRICTIONS Please ensure your health kit shows green and you have evidence of a negative COVID test result within 48 hours prior to the event. If official COVID-related restrictions require cancellation of this event, payments will be refunded in full to all registrants. If a registrant cancels for personal reasons, a refund is possible before July 27; after that the registration fee is non-refundable since the venue requires attendees' names in advance.