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The Yonghegong is one of Beijing's more curious temples, having started life as a residence for a crown prince of the emperor. Just thirty years later, in 1723, after the death of the prince, much of the palace was turned over to the monks.
The temple compund has a succession of compounds, with seemingly endless halls of Buddhas, each one popular with the praying masses - and indeed it was the masses, as this must be one of the most popular of Beijing's temples.
The temple is absolutely beautiful, but it is heavily commercialised. Meditation, let alone enlightenment, will be tricky with the constant noise and paraphernalia.
Every hall has signs, obtrusive as always and often crass (like the Guiness Book Of Records plaque adorning the rearmost Wanfuge Hall.) Ironically, there are a number of large "Protect Cultural Heritage" signs inappropriately sited.
So...Temple or Theme Park? You decide. Like many of the big Chinese Buddhist temples, such as Baimasi in Luoyang, it lacks warmth and 'feeling'. It is expensive at RMB25 per head, and the non-Buddhist doesn't feel educated or informed, despite the little exhibition hall in the last courtyard.
I like the Yonghegong, but don't know why!
I recommend that you visit the beautiful and tranquil Kongmiao (Confucian Temple) and Guozijian (Imperial College) at the same time: they are in a side street opposite. Leave a Comment Address: Yonghegong luDirections: At the junction of Yonghegonglu and the second ringroad.
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The Lama Temple is a magnificent Tibetan Buddhist complex built around 1700.
Now that religion is allowed in China, the Lama Temple is very active, with many faithfuls burning armloads of incense.
The superb architecture and the spiritual atmosphere combine into an unforgettable visit for foreigners.
When I visited, in January 2005, closing time was 4:30pm (my guidebook said 4:00). And it was quite haunting, with the priests closing the incense burners and the shutters.
Before or after the visit, remember there are many intriguing Hutong nearby. Leave a Comment Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line (Lama Temple Station).
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 Ringing the bell by amambaw
The Lama Temple is home to the Yellow Sect of Buddhism, which is the same sect as the Dalai Lama. It is an active lamasary, which means that monks of the sect live and work in the temple. The temple is also home to an amazing relic: the largest Buddha statue carved from a single tree. The statue is huge: 3 stories up and about 9 feet across. He is carved from a single tree (cypruss, I think) that had to be imported from outside the capital. What a job!
While we were visiting, China was just about to have its Autumn Festival. There were many worshippers at the temple making offerings of incense and praying. The atmosphere during our visit was calm and quiet, very unlike some of our other hurried visits to famous sites! We wandered and got a good look at the architecture and the artwork... all fabulous!
The temple is small, relatively speaking, to many of the other sites you can visit in Beijing, but I would definitely recommend it as a side trip. Leave a Comment Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line.
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This temple is the most renowned Buddhist temple outside Tibet. It is a vast area and has numerous halls with each having magnificent Buddhas, huge incense burners, prayer wheels, tapestries and a museum devoted to Tibertan metal statuery. The most impessive is the Wanfuge which contains the 18 metre, 9 metres across at the base, highly polished wooden (sandalwood)Buddha supposedly the largest wooden Buddha.
Unfortunately, you cannot take photos inside and therefore capture the full magnitude of the statue.
The ticket costs 25 Yuan and is actually a VCD of the temple which does work! (see photo) Don’t throw it out! Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line.
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 by Sally_chen
It's a peace and quiet place , many buddists not only local but those from other part of China come here to pray for all reason, heathy/wealthy/safe/peace....ect...
People believe that all pray can become true after you light incents and pray here... Leave a Comment
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 A friend of mine in front
of one of the buildings by jonkb
The temples all have Buddhas in them but the last one is by far the largest. It is supposedly cut out of a single piece of wood, but seeing the size of it I wonder if there have ever been a tree that wide. Every statue has some meaning and is the Buddha for something. I couldn't figure out half of them, but then again I am a complete novice on Buddhist symbols.
Photography inside the temple buildings are not allowed. Leave a Comment Address: 28 Yonghegong DajiePhone: 64044499Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line. 39 deg 56'46''N 116 deg 24'41''E
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 one of the temples inside the
Lama temple by filipdebont
But since my visit I know better, as this Lama temple is much more then just one building. Oh, no it is building after building after building . . .
Yes indeed this also a big site to visit. Not something you visit in 15 minutes.
There are a lot of great temples with fine architecture and colourful sculptures. Leave a Comment Address: Yonghegong Daije 12Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line.
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 Entry gate towards the Lama
temple by filipdebont
But no time to loose, this I had planned a visit at the Lama temple at the other side of the city, then a visit at the Confucius temple which is nearby. And after lunch I had planned a visit at the Drum tower and the Bell tower.
We finished our second day with an acrobatic show. Leave a Comment Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line.
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 Inside the Lama Temple
complex by filipdebont
This Lama temple is very easy accessible with the Beijing Metro system (Yonghegong subway station).
The entry to this temple is just around the corner.
After the ticket control you arrive at a first courtyard, where you can see a big bell and some beautiful pavilions. Leave a Comment Address: Yonghegong Dajie 12Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line.
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It is the temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism located in the northeastern part of Beijing, China. Also known as the Yonghe temple. Directions: Located on the north end of the city center, easily accessible from the metro line.
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