Information
Landmark: Yonghe LamaseryCity: Beijing
Country: China
Continent: Asia
Yonghe Lamasery, Beijing, China, Asia
Overview
The Yonghe Lamasery (雍和宫, Yōnghé Gōng), or Lama Temple, stands as one of Beijing’s most revered Tibetan Buddhist sites, its red walls and curling incense smoke drawing visitors from far and wide.It’s more than a sacred place-it’s a piece of history and a work of art, drawing both locals and travelers who pause to admire its carved stone walls.The temple blends traditional Han Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist culture and design, its red lacquered beams standing beside golden prayer wheels.The Yonghe Lamasery sits in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, just a short walk from the Gulou, where the deep thud of the Drum Tower still echoes through the streets.Buses and trains stop just a short walk away, so it’s an easy spot to reach and a favorite with visitors.History: Built in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty, the temple first served as the home of Prince Yong-later Emperor Yongzheng-where red lacquered doors once opened to quiet, shaded courtyards.Later, the prince took the throne as the Yongzheng Emperor, his robes heavy with gold thread.When the emperor left, the building was turned into a Lamaist temple in 1744, under Qianlong’s reign, its red walls catching the morning light.It became a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, and ever since, monks have gathered there to chant, teach, and keep the tradition alive across China.Over the centuries, the temple’s been rebuilt and expanded more than once, yet it still holds the same quiet reverence and towers with the same carved stone beauty.The name “Yonghe” comes from Yongzheng, the emperor who once made his home there, walking its quiet courtyards."Lamasery" is the term used for a monastery or temple dedicated to Lamaist Buddhism , which is another term for Tibetan Buddhism.A “lamasery” is a monastery or temple devoted to Lamaist Buddhism, another name for Tibetan Buddhism, where you might hear the low hum of monks chanting.The name echoes the temple’s place at the heart of Tibetan Buddhist life, where monks chant in the courtyard and students pore over sacred texts.Today, the Yonghe Lamasery hums with prayer and incense, serving as a living Buddhist temple and one of the most visited places for Tibetan Buddhists in China.It’s a hub of Lamaist worship, where monks and visitors alike gather to meditate, pray, and study, the air often carrying the faint scent of burning incense.The temple draws visitors from around the globe to see its towering 18-meter Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single block of fragrant sandalwood.The Yonghe Lamasery’s architecture blends graceful Han Chinese lines with bold Tibetan Buddhist motifs, its red walls and carved eaves standing as a bridge between faiths and cultures.Main Entrance and Layout: The temple complex unfolds through a series of courtyards, each opening into the next like quiet stone chambers under the sun.Beyond the entrance gate lies the first courtyard, where visitors step past cool stone walls and weave through a series of halls and buildings on their way deeper into the temple.The temple follows a traditional Chinese design, its buildings lined up along a north–south axis like beads on a string.The buildings form a balanced layout, anchored by a central courtyard where sunlight spills onto the stone, with key structures lining the main axis.Buildings and Halls: Hall of the Heavenly Kings (天王殿) - it’s the first place you step into after crossing the temple’s gates, with tall wooden doors opening onto its shadowy interior.Inside, you’ll find statues of the Four Heavenly Kings-guardians of Buddhist teachings, each gripping a weapon as if ready to defend the temple.Main Hall (大殿): The largest building in the complex, it houses statues of the Buddha of the Three Ages-past, present, and future-each carved with serene faces lit by soft, golden light.Qianlong Hall (乾隆殿) is an important hall where a serene statue of Maitreya, the future Buddha, sits in quiet grace.This hall is best known for its towering Maitreya statue-an 18-meter giant carved from one solid block of fragrant sandalwood.Decorations and Art: The temple showcases Tibetan-style murals, graceful sculptures, and intricate wood carvings, each telling a story from Tibetan Buddhist tradition-like a painted lotus blooming against a deep blue sky.Painted across the walls are vivid images of Buddhist deities and key moments from sacred texts and history, from serene lotus-filled gardens to battles beneath swirling clouds.The roof of the Yonghe Lamasery glows with traditional golden tiles common in Tibetan Buddhist architecture, while inside, vivid reds and blues mingle with carved symbols and the soft clink of spinning prayer wheels.Mural Paintings: Step inside the temple and you’ll see vivid murals in the halls and side rooms-scenes from Buddhist scriptures, graceful Tibetan deities, and other sacred symbols painted in rich, time-worn colors.These murals reveal how closely Chinese and Tibetan Buddhist traditions intertwine, their colors flowing together like ink on silk.Key features include the temple’s collection of Buddhist statues, each one deeply respected by Tibetan Buddhist followers-some carved so finely you can trace every fold in a robe.Besides the towering Maitreya statue, the temple holds figures of Sakyamuni, the historical Buddha, along with Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, and Manjushri, the bodhisattva of wisdom, their serene faces lit by the soft glow of lantern light.Tibetan Buddhist Monks: The temple is still home to Tibetan monks, their maroon robes brushing the stone floors as they practice and teach Lamaist Buddhism.Each day, the monks light incense, chant prayers, and carry out time-honored rituals, while the temple hums with life as Buddhists from nearby villages and pilgrims from Tibet and beyond come to worship.The temple holds a collection of Buddhist treasures-prayer wheels that hum softly when spun, delicate mantras, and relics once belonging to revered monks and spiritual leaders.People use these objects during temple rituals, from lighting incense to placing flowers at the altar.The Yonghe Lamasery stands as a vivid symbol of the exchange between Tibetan Buddhism and Han Chinese traditions, where incense drifts through brightly painted halls.The temple was vital in carrying Tibetan Buddhist teachings across China, especially during the Qing Dynasty, when Tibet became part of the Qing Empire and monks chanted under its painted eaves.The temple sparked a deeper understanding of Tibetan Buddhism among the Han Chinese, nurturing a respect that grew like quiet ripples across a still pond.For Tibetan Buddhists, the Yonghe Lamasery draws pilgrims from far and wide, its incense curling into the cold morning air.People come here to pray, sit in quiet meditation, and ask for blessings, their voices low like whispers in the still air.Many Tibetans come to the temple to join the ceremonies, chant soft, rhythmic prayers, and place bright marigolds or bowls of rice before the Buddha.Today, the temple welcomes travelers with curious eyes and worshippers carrying incense, serving as both a sacred place and a popular stop for visitors.Visitors arrive to marvel at the sweeping temple arches, pause before serene Buddha statues, and delve into the rich traditions of Tibetan Buddhism.Still, it’s a living place of worship, where the scent of incense drifts through the air, and it remains a vital spiritual hub for Tibetan Buddhists.The temple welcomes visitors every day, though times can shift with the seasons or during festivals when lanterns glow late into the night.It’s smart to check ahead-like calling before you drive across town-so you’re not caught off guard.Admission’s not free, but the temple only asks a small fee-about the cost of a cup of tea.Monks and pilgrims can enter free of charge, no ticket needed.Getting to the Yonghe Lamasery is simple-you can hop on the Beijing subway and be there in minutes, stepping out right into the scent of burning incense.Yonghegong Lama Temple Station on Line 2 is the closest subway stop, just a short walk from the temple’s red gates.
