Lama Temple Yonghegong Travel Guide

Brief Introduction
Lama Temple(Yonghegong), or Yonghe Lamasery (Harmony and Peace Palace Lamasery), a renowned Lama Temple of the Yellow Hat Sect of Lamaism, is situated in the northeast part of Beijing city.

Lama Temple, or Yonghegong, has a long and varied history. It was originally built in 1694 and originally used as official residence for court eunuchs of the Ming dynasty and was converted to the royal court of Prince Yongzheng(Yin Zhen) a son of Emperor Kang Xi of the Qing Dynasty. Before he ascended the throne, during the 33rd year (1693) of Kangxi´s reign of the Qing dynasty, it was remained Yonghegong.

After the prince came to the throne in 1723, half of the residence was used as an imperial palace and the other half was converted to a lamasery, a monastery for Mongolian and Buddhist Monks as it remains today.

The following details describe the main buildings inside the Lamasery.
On arrival at the south end of Yonghe Lamasery, the visitor will enter a yard which contains a screen wall and three Paifangs (Gateways), and will observe the red walls and stone lions, symbols which show that this Lamasery was originally the dwelling of an Imperial Family member. Entering north from the Gateways, the visitor will be confronted by a wide straight road which was used for the carriages of the emperors and their wives during the Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911). At the northern end of this road is Zhaotaimen (Gate of Peace Declaration), which comprises three large archways, the central one of which was for the exclusive use of the emperors.

Passing through Zhaotai Gate the visitor will enter the second yard which contains a Drum Tower on the western side and a Bell tower on the eastern side, and in front of these towers are two octagonal Stele Pavilions. Words by Emperor Qianlong were carved in the stele explaining the traditional and historical reasons that dwellings formerly used by Imperial Family members must later be changed to temples.

Features
Lama Temple is now a typical Tibetan Monastery. Having been closed for many years during the Cultural Revolution it was refurbished and reopened in 1980.

Why it is must-see sight?
Lama Temple is regarded as the Museum of Tibetan Buddhism. It is said the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama have come here to missionize. So if you are interested in the missionary education and culture, here is your good choice to visit.