Information
Landmark: Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)City: Beijing
Country: China
Continent: Asia
Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple), Beijing, China, Asia
Overview
The Lama Temple (雍和宫, Yōnghé Gōng), or Yonghe Temple, stands as one of Beijing’s most treasured Tibetan Buddhist sites, where incense hangs in the air and bright vermilion gates guard its entrance.It's a stunning showcase of traditional Chinese Buddhist architecture, with sweeping roofs and carved beams, and it remains an important place of both culture and faith.The temple draws crowds for its breathtaking architecture, treasured relics, and the quiet hush that lingers in its courtyards, attracting both pilgrims and curious travelers.The Lama Temple was first built in 1694, during the Qing Dynasty, under Emperor Kangxi’s rule, its red walls bright against the winter snow.It was first built as a palace for Prince Yongzheng, the emperor’s son, who later rose to the throne as Emperor Yongzheng.In 1744, not long after Yongzheng took the throne, the palace was turned into a Lamaist monastery, its courtyards soon filled with the saffron robes and low chanting of Tibetan Buddhist monks.They named it Yonghe Temple to honor the emperor, its new title echoing through the red-lacquered halls.When it was converted into a Tibetan Buddhist temple, the place began its rise as a key hub for Tibetan Buddhism in China, with prayer flags fluttering in the mountain wind.During the Qianlong Emperor’s reign in the 18th century, workers restored the temple, polishing its carved beams and adding flourishes that deepened its beauty and prestige.The Lama Temple grew into one of China’s key centers for Lamaist Buddhism, its halls echoing with the chants of Tibetan monks and the quiet study of learned scholars.The temple stands out for its Tibetan-style architecture, with carved wooden beams painted deep red, and it serves as a leading hub for Tibetan Buddhist study and rituals.The Lama Temple ranks among the most significant Tibetan Buddhist temples beyond Tibet, and in Beijing it still hums with the scent of incense and the steady rhythm of daily prayers.It also reflects the harmony between Tibetan and Han Chinese Buddhism, standing as a reminder of the Qing Dynasty’s imperial support for Tibetan religious traditions, much like the quiet pairing of prayer flags and palace roofs under the same sky.The temple complex spans roughly 66,400 square meters, its halls and courtyards lined up in perfect symmetry along a central axis, following the graceful order of traditional Chinese Buddhist design.The temple has five main halls, each with its own purpose, from quiet prayer to grand ceremonies, and inside you’ll find towering Buddha statues and ancient, timeworn relics.Courtyards, quiet gardens, and winding stone paths link the halls, filling the temple complex with a calm, almost breathless stillness.You enter the temple complex through the Main Hall, known as the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, where the scent of burning incense greets you at the door.In this hall stand the statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, towering figures believed to guard the Buddha and the heart of his teachings.The hall showcases delicate wooden carvings and bursts of traditional Chinese décor, like red silk lanterns that glow softly in the light.Inside the hall, towering statues rise above you, their cold stone faces making visitors fall silent in awe.The Hall of Harmonious Atmosphere sits just beyond the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, where a towering statue of Maitreya Buddha-the smiling Buddha of the future-stands as one of Mahayana Buddhism’s central figures.The Hall of Harmonious Atmosphere features graceful wooden beams and rests in quiet gardens, offering a calm space for meditation and prayer.The Main Prayer Hall sits at the heart of the temple, where worshippers gather for grand ceremonies and long, echoing prayers.You’ll see a towering statue of Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, alongside smaller Buddha figures and glimmering Buddhist relics.The main prayer hall stands out for its grand design, with gold gleaming on the walls, deep red beams overhead, and vivid murals of Buddhist deities, legends, and teachings.The Hall of the Wheel of Dharma honors the teaching and sharing of Buddhist wisdom, where golden symbols on the walls seem to turn with the light.Inside, you’ll find the Wheel of Dharma-a key Buddhist symbol that reflects the endless cycle of life, death, and rebirth, like a river that never stops flowing.The hall welcomes those seeking spiritual guidance, drawing visitors who sit quietly to meditate or pore over Buddhist texts in the soft glow of its lanterns.The Pavilion of the 18 Arhats houses lifelike statues of these revered Buddhist figures, each carved with intricate folds in their robes and calm, watchful eyes.These statues show the Arhats, enlightened beings believed to guard the Buddhist teachings, their faces calm as still water.The pavilion feels calm and inviting, its carved pillars and painted panels telling the stories of these legendary figures and the triumphs that shaped their lives.Key features of the temple include its strong Tibetan influence-you’ll notice the sweeping golden roofs and intricate wood carvings that make the Lama Temple so well-known.Bright prayer flags flutter above golden roofs, while colorful decorations and intricate carvings give the buildings the unmistakable charm of Tibetan temples.You can see the Tibetan touch in the temple’s carved beams and in the way the monks chant their prayers.The Lama Temple’s most iconic sight is the towering Maitreya Buddha, rising 26 meters-about as tall as an eight-story building.Carved from one solid block of sandalwood, the statue stands in the Hall of the Wheel of Dharma, its smooth grain catching the light.Among the biggest in the world, this towering Maitreya Buddha statue is carved entirely from wood, its polished surface warm to the touch.The temple holds a remarkable collection of Buddhist treasures-statues worn smooth by touch, vivid paintings, ancient scrolls, and brass incense burners that still carry a faint scent of smoke.These artifacts play a vital role in the temple’s rituals, from morning chants to incense offerings, and they reveal the vibrant artistic legacy of Tibetan Buddhism.Cultural and Religious Practices: The Lama Temple still thrives as a working Buddhist monastery, where the scent of incense lingers while monks lead rituals, offer prayers, and share their teachings.Many visitors arrive to watch the rituals, join in Buddhist ceremonies, and sit quietly in meditation as incense curls through the air.During Buddhist festivals like Lunar New Year, the temple bursts with activity as pilgrims stream in, incense curling through the air while they pray for luck and blessings.Visitors can watch traditional Tibetan Buddhist rituals unfold-sweet smoke curling from burning incense, voices rising in sutra chants, and quiet offerings placed before the Buddha.The Lama Temple in Beijing draws crowds with its rich spiritual history and its stunning architecture, from the scent of incense curling in the air to the vivid reds and golds on its ornate halls.Visitors come here for its deep ties to Tibetan Buddhism and the sweeping curves of its Chinese-style roofs.The temple feels calm and still, with soft lantern light pooling on the stone floor-an ideal place for quiet reflection or a moment of spiritual connection.You can wander through the temple’s many halls, pause to watch a quiet Buddhist ceremony, and then step into the stillness of the gardens, where the air smells faintly of pine.Gardens and Courtyards: Around the Lama Temple, the grounds unfold in quiet beauty-shaded gardens, graceful pavilions, and still ponds where dragonflies skim the surface.These spots offer a peaceful break from the city’s constant hum, where people often pause to reflect or whisper a prayer beneath the shade of old trees.In the end, the Lama Temple, also called Yonghe Temple, stands as one of Beijing’s most prominent landmarks, its red walls glowing softly in the afternoon light.
