Lama Temple
The Lama Temple, or Yonghe Lamasery (Yǒnghé Gōng), is Beijing’s most revered Tibetan Buddhist sanctum, blending imperial grandeur with mystical spirituality. Built in 1694 as the residence of Emperor Yongzheng (then Prince Yong), it transformed into a lamasery in 1744 under Qianlong, becoming China’s foremost center for Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Buddhism. Crowned with golden pinnacles and adorned with 10,000 deities, its five courtyards—from the Hall of Harmony and Peace to the Wheel of Law Hall—unfold like a celestial scroll. Destroyed by fire in 1796 and rebuilt, it survived the 1966–76 Cultural Revolution as a "factory" before reopening in 1981. Today, it attracts 4 million pilgrims annually, its incense-wreathed halls echoing with chants and the clink of offering bowls.
Historical Overview
Imperial Residence (1694–1725):Constructed for Prince Yong (future Emperor Yongzheng), the "Palace of Eternal Harmony" featured nine-arch gateways and jade-inlaid thrones.
In 1723, Yongzheng ascended the throne; the palace became a xinggong (imperial retreat) with a 300-acre garden (now Ditan Park).
Lamasery Conversion (1744–1900):Qianlong converted it into a monastery, importing 3,000 monks from Lhasa and commissioning the 26m-tall Wooden Maitreya Buddha (carved from a single sandalwood tree).
The Opium Wars (1840) and Boxer Rebellion (1900) damaged the temple, but it endured as a cultural stronghold.
Modern Revival (1981–Present):Reopened post-Revolution, it became China’s first state-sanctioned Tibetan Buddhist temple.
Key events: The 1990 restoration of the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses and the 2013 unveiling of a 18m-tall Sakyamuni Statue (cast from 20 tons of copper and gold).
Structural Layout
The temple follows a north-south axis with five ritual courts:
Court of Supreme Harmony (Zhōuhé Yuàn)Gate of Harmony and Peace (Yǒnghé Gōng Mén):A three-arched, glazed-tile gateway guarded by stone lions. The central arch (reserved for emperors) leads to the first courtyard.
Bell and Drum Towers (Zhōnglóu/Gǔlóu):Timed chimes (5:30 AM bell, 7 PM drum) mark monastic rhythms. The bell, inscribed with Buddhist sutras, weighs 2 tons.
Court of Eternal Blessing (Yǒngyùn Yuàn)Hall of Heavenly Kings (Tiānwáng Diàn):Home to the Four Heavenly Kings (guardians against chaos) and Maitreya Buddha (Laughing Buddha). Note the "Wheel of Dharma" ceiling mural (1744), depicting the Buddha’s first sermon.
Court of the Wheel of Law (Fǎlún Yuàn)Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yǒnghé Dàdiàn):The main prayer hall, housing a 6m-tall Manjushri (Wisdom Buddha) flanked by 18 arhats (enlightened disciples). Incense burners here are so large that pilgrims circle them three times clockwise for blessings.
Court of Everlasting Protection (Yǒngfú Yuàn)Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (Wànfú Gé):A two-story octagonal pavilion crowned with a gilded Double Dragon finial. Inside, the Wooden Maitreya Buddha (26m) smiles down from a lotus throne, its 18 arms cradling symbolic objects (e.g., a wheel of law, wish-fulfilling jewel). The statue’s hollow interior once housed a staircase for relic viewing (closed since 1900).
Court of the Dharma Realm (Fǎwù Yuàn)Wheel of Law Hall (Fǎlún Dàdiàn):The temple’s northernmost sanctum, featuring a 5-ton Five-Dhyani Buddha array (Vairocana, Aksobhya, Ratnasambhava, Amitabha, Amoghasiddhi) atop a 3m-tall lotus. Behind them looms the Sakyamuni Statue (18m), its gilded surface etched with 10,000 miniature Buddhas.
Major Attractions & Rituals
Wooden Maitreya Buddha (Wànfú Gé)Carved from a single sandalwood tree felled in Burma (1747), it is the world’s largest wooden sculpture.
Touch its lotus petals for luck; offerings of fruit and scarves are common.
Five-Hundred Arhats Hill (Luóhàn Běi)A 500-arhat mural in the eastern corridor, painted in 1757. Each arhat’s expression and pose is unique—find the one resembling yourself for a wish.
Incense Offering CeremonyAt 8 AM and 2 PM, monks light 3m-tall incense coils in the Hall of Harmony and Peace. Pilgrims wave smoke over their heads to "purify" sins.
1. Butter Lamp PrayersEvening rituals in the Wheel of Law Hall feature monks lighting 1,080 yak-butter lamps, symbolizing the 1,080 earthly desires to transcend.
2. New Year’s Blessings (Lunar Calendar)On Chinese New Year’s Eve, 100,000 pilgrims queue to touch the Maitreya’s toe for prosperity. The queue begins at midnight.
Suggested Itineraries
Classic Pilgrimage (2–3 hours)
Gate of Harmony → Bell Tower → Heavenly Kings Hall → Hall of Harmony (Incense Ceremony) → Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (Maitreya) → Wheel of Law Hall (Sakyamuni) → Exit via East Gate
Highlights: Iconic statues, incense rituals, and Maitreya’s scale.
Cultural Deep Dive (4–5 hours)
Gate → Bell Tower → Heavenly Kings Hall (Arhat Mural) → Harmony Hall (Manjushri) → Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses → Wheel of Law Hall → Lama Temple Cultural Center (Tibetan Artifacts) → Lunch at Temple Café (Vegetarian Noodles) → Return via West Gate
Highlights: Art history, monastic life, and vegan cuisine.
Full-Day Spiritual Journey
6 AM: Arrive for morning chants → 8 AM: Incense Ceremony → 10 AM: Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (Guided Tour) → 12 PM: Lunch at Temple Café → 1 PM: Wheel of Law Hall (Butter Lamps) → 3 PM: Five-Hundred Arhats Hunt → 4 PM: Meditation Session (Cultural Center) → Sunset Prayers at Harmony Hall
Highlights: VIP rituals, meditation, and arhat symbolism.
Ticket Purchase
Admission: ¥25 (adults), ¥12 (students/seniors). Free for children under 1.2m.
Online: Book via "Yonghegong Official" WeChat account or Ctrip (up to 7 days in advance).
On-Site: Purchase at the South Gate ticket office (cash/mobile payment accepted).
Free Entry: Chinese New Year’s Eve (midnight queue), Buddha’s Birthday (April 8, lunar calendar).
Transportation
By Subway:Line 2/5: Yonghegong Lama Temple Station (Exit C), walk 2 minutes to South Gate.
By Bus: Routes 13, 116, 684 to Yonghegong Station.
By Taxi: Drop-off at North Second Ring Road (near East Gate).
Departure: Exit via North Gate for subways (Line 2) or South Gate for buses.
Best Time & Tips
Peak Hours: Avoid 10 AM–12 PM (tour groups) and weekends. Visit early (7 AM opening) or late (after 4 PM).
Crowds: Chinese New Year and Buddha’s Birthday draw 50,000+ visitors; weekdays (especially winter) are serene.
Weather: Spring (April) for peony blooms; autumn (October) for crisp air. Avoid summer humidity.
Essentials:
Wear modest clothing (shoulders/knees covered).
Photography allowed (no flash in halls).
Prohibited items: Outside food, incense (provided free), and pets.
Etiquette: Circle statues clockwise; do not point at Buddhas.
