Visit Lama Temple: From Royal Palace to Beijing’s Luckiest Shrine

🏮 Lama Temple: A Spiritual Journey into Imperial Buddhism

Originally built in 1694 as the residence of Prince Yong, the Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) is the most renowned Tibetan Buddhist monastery in central Beijing. Its yellow roof tiles signify its prestigious royal status, making it a must-visit spiritual landmark.

Expert Strategy: While it ranks behind the Forbidden City and Great Wall, Lama Temple offers a unique peacefulness. We recommend combining it with the nearby Confucius Temple for a complete cultural afternoon.

Lama Temple or Yonghegong Temple Architecture

Imperial Architecture
A blend of Han and Tibetan styles

Giant Sandalwood Buddha, the largest wooden Buddha statue in the world

The World’s Largest Buddha
Guinness Record: 26m tall

Local people Incense Chanting in the Lama temple

Local Traditions
Experience the thick incense air

Temple of Confucius and Imperial Academy nearby the Lama Temple

Nearby Confucius Temple
Just an 8-minute stroll away

🌟 The “Three Wonders” of Lama Temple

As an imperial lamasery, the temple houses three artistic masterpieces known as the “Three Wonders”:

The Giant Sandalwood Buddha: Located in Wanfu Pavilion, this 26-meter statue was carved from a single white sandalwood trunk—a gift from the 7th Dalai Lama.
The Golden Nanmu Niche: An exquisitely carved shrine dedicated to the Buddha.
The Five Hundred Arhats Mountain: Intricate red sandalwood carvings featuring 500 unique Arhat figures.

🚶 Expert Routing: Doubling the Value

Expert’s Insight: Most travelers miss the fact that the Confucius Temple and Imperial College (Guozijian) are just an 8-minute walk away. We always design this tour as a “Spiritual & Scholarly” combo.

Pro Tip: Visit Lama Temple in the early morning for the most atmospheric chanting, then walk to the quieter Confucius Temple to escape the crowds.

⚠️ Practical Travel Tips from 20+ Years Experience

Location & Traffic: 5km north of the Forbidden City. Expect a 20-minute drive in Beijing’s heavy traffic.
Public Transport: Extremely easy access via Subway Lines 2 and 5 (Yonghegong Station).
Tickets & Hours: CNY 25 ($3.5). Open 9:00 am – 4:30 pm (Apr-Oct) or 4:00 pm (Nov-Mar).

🚀 Lama Temple Combo: Your Cultural Afternoon

Option A: The Zen & Wisdom PathLama Temple + Confucius Temple + Imperial College. A deep dive into Buddhism and Confucianism.

Option B: The Hutong ExplorerLama Temple + Wudaoying Hutong. Combine ancient spirituality with modern Beijing cafe culture.

📅 Want a Deep Dive into Beijing’s Soul?

Let us help you combine the spiritual Lama Temple with the best hidden Hutongs nearby. Our team handles all the logistics.

[👉 Customize My Cultural Tour Now]