Beijing · Visitor Guide
Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) (雍和宫, Yōnghé Gōng)
The Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) is Beijing's most important Tibetan Buddhist monastery, built in 1694 as a prince's residence and converted to a lamasery in 1744. The temple houses three world-record bronze Buddhas and, in its final hall, a 26-meter standing Maitreya Buddha carved from a single white sandalwood log imported from Nepal — listed in the Guinness Book of World Records. The temple remains an active monastery with Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) monks chanting daily.
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Quick Answer
Is Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) worth visiting?
Tibetan Buddhist temple with a 26-meter sandalwood Buddha carved from a single log — a Guinness World Record. Active monastery with chanting monks. ¥25.
Quick facts
| Ticket | ¥25 (as of June 2026). Includes a free box of incense sticks at entry. English audio guide ¥20. |
|---|---|
| Hours | 9:00–16:30 (Apr–Oct), 9:00–16:00 (Nov–Mar). Last entry 30 minutes before close. |
| Recommended duration | 1.5–2 hours. |
| Best time to visit | Morning (9:00–10:30 AM) when monks chant and the incense is thick in the courtyards. Chinese New Year (late Jan/Feb) is the busiest day of the year — worshippers line up for hours. |
| How to get there | Metro Line 2 or Line 5 to Yonghegong (Lama Temple) station, Exit C. The temple entrance is 50 meters south. |
| English signage | partial |
| Wheelchair accessible | partial |
| Built | 1694 (prince's residence), converted 1744 |
| Giant Buddha | 26 m tall, carved from a single sandalwood log |
| Hall count | 5 main halls along a central axis |
| Sect | Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) Tibetan Buddhism |
| World records | 3 bronze Buddhas + 1 sandalwood Buddha |
What to expect
The Lama Temple began as the residence of Prince Yinzhen (the future Yongzheng Emperor). After he ascended the throne in 1722, the residence was converted to a temple — half its buildings became a lamasery for Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet, a political move to strengthen Qing relations with the Tibetan Buddhist world. The temple's dual identity as both imperial building and active monastery is unique in Beijing.
The temple unfolds through five halls along a north-south axis, each more elaborate than the last. The Hall of Harmony and Peace (雍和宫) contains three bronze Buddhas of the Three Ages — each over 2 meters tall. The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (万福阁) at the northern end houses the 26-meter sandalwood Maitreya, 8 meters of which are underground (the Buddha was too tall for the hall and the floor was dug out to accommodate it).
I visited on a crisp October morning. The smell of sandalwood incense was overwhelming in the best way — thick enough to taste. Monks in maroon robes chanted in the side halls while worshippers prostrated on wooden boards worn smooth by centuries of use. The giant Buddha reveals itself gradually as you walk through the hall — first the face, then the torso, and only at the very back do you realize how impossibly tall it is.
How to get there
Metro Line 2 or Line 5 to Yonghegong station (雍和宫站), Exit C. Walk south 50 meters. The temple's south gate is unmistakable — a large red wall with golden lettering. DiDi from central Beijing: ¥30–50, 20–30 minutes.
Best photo spots
- The incense-filled courtyard between the second and third halls — smoke and architecture
- The entrance gate at 9:00 AM with the first worshippers silhouetted against incense smoke
- The Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses exterior — the building built around the giant Buddha
- Worshippers prostrating on the worn wooden boards — moving but photograph discreetly
Tips
- Collect free incense at entry — it comes in a small box and is enough for all five halls
- Light three sticks per hall (traditional) — do not bring your own incense
- Photograph monks discreetly — they are worshippers, not props
- Visit Confucius Temple (孔庙) next door — quieter and shares a wall with the Lama Temple
- The surrounding hutong (Wudaoying) has good cafes for after your visit
Scams to avoid
- Fortune-tellers outside the south gate offering "Buddhist blessings" for ¥200+ — they are not affiliated with the temple
- Vendors selling "consecrated" amulets on the street — genuine consecrated items are only available inside the temple at the official shop
Frequently asked questions
Is the Lama Temple worth visiting?
Yes — the 26-meter sandalwood Buddha alone is worth the ¥25 ticket. The temple is an active monastery, not a museum, so the atmosphere is genuine. It pairs well with the Confucius Temple next door and the Wudaoying hutong for lunch. Allow 1.5–2 hours.
Can I take photos inside the Lama Temple?
Yes in the courtyards and exterior areas. No photography inside the halls — especially not of the giant Buddha or the monks. Signs are clear. Follow what locals do — they photograph everything outside and nothing inside.
How is the Lama Temple different from other Beijing temples?
It is Tibetan Buddhist, not Han Chinese Buddhist — expect Tibetan script, prayer wheels, butter lamps, and Gelugpa iconography. The Temple of Heaven is Daoist/imperial, Tanzhe Temple is Han Buddhist. The Lama Temple is the only major Tibetan Buddhist temple in central Beijing.
Is the Lama Temple near the Forbidden City?
It is about 4 km north of the Forbidden City — 15 minutes by DiDi or 20 minutes by Metro Line 2. The two can be combined in one day if you start at the Forbidden City at 8:30 AM and arrive at the Lama Temple by 2:00 PM.
Can I participate in the rituals?
You can light incense (provided free) and make offerings, but as a non-Buddhist, be respectful — observe what locals do and follow. No need to prostrate unless you are a practicing Buddhist. Monks may not respond to questions during chanting.
What is the best time of day to visit the Lama Temple?
9:00–10:30 AM when the incense is thickest and monks are chanting morning prayers. The temple fills with worshippers (not just tourists) in the morning, giving it a more authentic feel. Afternoons are quieter but less atmospheric.
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