 Lama Temple (Yonghegong), Beijing
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Lama Temple, also known as Yonghe Temple or Yonghegong, is the grandest temple in Beijing. It was originally built as a Chinese temple in the 17th century, and converted into a Tibetan monastery in 1744.
The Lama Temple comprises five main halls built in a fusion of Han, Mongol and Tibetan styles.
In the first hall, you can see the rotund laughing Buddha, Milefo. It sits back to back with Wei Tuo, the Protector of Buddhist Doctrine. Franking them are the Four Heavenly Kings.
The Yonghe Hall has three Buddhas flanked by the 18 luohans - beings who have been freed from the cycle of rebirth.
The Falun Hall, or Hall of the Wheel of Law, is done in the Tibetan style. It has a statue of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
The star attraction of the Lama Temple is the gigantic Wanfu Pavilion. Inside it is the 17-meter (55-feet) statue of Maitreya, the Future Buddha, carved from a single block of Sandalwood.
On display at the rear of Lama Temple are Tibetan Buddhist objects. Among them is the statues of Guru Rinpoche and the Tibetan equivalent to the Kuan Yin. Sacred religious objects are also displayed, including the dorje (thunderbolt) and the dril bu (bell).
How to reach the Lama Temple
Take the subway to Yonghe Gong station. The Lama Temple is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily.
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