A Sacred Fusion of History and Faith
The Lama Temple (Yonghegong, 雍和宫), located in Beijing’s Dongcheng District, is a UNESCO-noted masterpiece of Han-Tibetan architecture and a pivotal center for Tibetan Buddhism. Originally constructed in 1694 as the residence of Prince Yong (later Emperor Yongzheng), it was converted into a monastery in 1744 under Emperor Qianlong, becoming the Qing dynasty’s administrative hub for Tibetan Buddhist affairs.
Architectural Splendor
Spanning 66,400㎡, the temple features:
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Five Halls on a Central Axis:
- Yonghe Gate (天王殿): Houses Maitreya Buddha and the Four Heavenly Kings.
- Yonghegong Hall (雍和宫大殿): Showcases Three Buddhas of Time (past, present, future).
- Falun Hall (法轮殿): Crowned with five Tibetan-style gilded pagodas, it enshrines a 6m-tall statue of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school.
- Wanfu Pavilion (万福阁): Dominated by the 26m-tall Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single sandalwood trunk—one of the temple’s "Three Wooden Wonders".
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Cultural Hybridity:
- Yellow-tiled roofs (reserved for imperial use) and Tibetan mandala motifs symbolize unity between Han and Tibetan traditions.
- The "Four Academic Halls" (sutra, tantra, medicine, astrology) reflect its role as a monastic university.
Historical Significance
- Imperial Legacy: Birthplace of Emperor Qianlong; hosted Dalai Lamas and Panchen Lamas during Qing-era diplomacy.
- Modern Resilience: Survived the Cultural Revolution; reopened in 1981 as a protected heritage site and active monastery.
Visitor Experience
- Highlights:
- Morning Prayers (8:30–10:00): Monks chant amidst butter lamp glow.
- Annual Festivals:
- Great Prayer Festival (Jan/Feb): Masked Cham dances to dispel evil.
- Bathing the Buddha (April): Commemorates Buddha’s birth.
- Practical Tips:
- Hours: 9:00–17:00 (summer); 9:00–16:30 (winter).
- Fee: ¥25 (free for children under 1.2m).
- Etiquette: Walk clockwise around stupas; no photography in prayer halls.
2025 Update: New multilingual AR guides decode murals and rituals in real-time.
For live prayer schedules: Official Site.