Brief information on Lama Temple  

Situated in the northeast of downtown Beijing, Lama Temple is the largest lamasery in China. It was first built in 1694 as the residence of Prince Yong, who later became Emperor Yongzheng. In 1744, Lama Temple was changed into a lamasery and became a center of Lama Administration.
The Lama Temple is composed of the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of Everlasting Protection, the Hall of the Wheel of the Law and the Wanfuge. The whole architectural structures become gradually smaller from south to north, but the halls rise in height successively.

The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is the southernmost of the main halls. There is a pair of bronze lions in front of the hall, and in the center of the hall stands a statue of the smiling Maitreya, on the two sides of which, statues of the four Heavenly Kings are arranged.

The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is located in the southernmost part of the temple, and two bronze lions stand in the front of the hall. A statue of the smiling Maitreya stands in the middle of the hall, and there are four Heavenly Kings on the two sides.

Coming out from the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, one can see the Hall of Harmony and Peace. The Hall of Harmony and Peace is the main palace of the temple. It houses three bronze statues of the Buddhas of the Three Ages: the statue of the Sakyamuni is in the middle, the statue of Kasyapa Matanga on the right and the Maitreya Buddha on the left. Along the sides of the hall, there are statues of the 18 Arhats.

After the Hall of Harmony and Peace, you will arrive at the Hall of Everlasting Protection. It was the residence of Emperor Yongzheng when he was a prince, and later became his final resting place as his coffin was placed here after his death. Nowadays, there is a statue of Bhaisajya-guru standing in the hall.

Following on from the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of the Wheel of the Law will appear. It is a place for lamas to read scriptures and hold religious ceremonies.

At last, you can enjoy the Wanfuge, the highest palace in the temple. Here there is an 18-meter tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha carved from a single piece of white sandalwood.

*You can download the bilingual note to show it to a taxi driver or someone else to find your way to Lama Temple if you plan to visit Lama Temple and have language problems.

   

Chinese Pinyin: La Ma Si Yuan
Opening Times: 09:00 -16:00
Address: No. 12, Yonghegong Avenue, Dongcheng District 
How to Get to: Take bus No. 13, 18, 44, 62, 116, 407 or 807