BeiJing-The Yonghe Lama Temple
The Yonghe Lama Temple
Location
It is located at No. 12 Yonghegong Street, Dongcheng District, Beijing. Situated within the northeast second ring road of Beijing urban area, it has convenient transportation. Yonghegong Station of Subway Lines 2 and 5 can directly reach it, and there are numerous bus routes around, making it convenient for tourists to visit.
Opening Hours
From November 1st to March 31st of the following year is the winter opening time, and the opening hours are from 9:00 to 16:30 (ticket sales stop at 16:00). From April 1st to October 31st is the summer opening time, and the opening hours are from 9:00 to 17:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:30).
Recommended Visiting Time
It is recommended to spend 2 to 3 hours visiting. If you have a strong interest in Buddhist culture, historical architecture, etc., and want to visit each hall in depth and learn about the relevant allusions and cultural relics, you can allocate 3 to 4 hours.
Historical and Cultural Background
Yonghe Temple was originally the residence of Yinzhen (Emperor Shizong of the Qing Dynasty) when he was a 贝勒 (a title of nobility) and a prince, and the place where Hongli (Emperor Gaozong of the Qing Dynasty) was born and grew up. In 1694 (the 33rd year of the Kangxi reign of the Qing Dynasty), Emperor Kangxi built this residence here and bestowed it upon his fourth son, Yinzhen, which was called the Palace of Prince Yong. In 1725 (the 3rd year of the Yongzheng reign), the palace was changed into a temporary imperial palace and named Yonghe Palace. In 1735 (the 13th year of the Yongzheng reign), Emperor Yongzheng passed away, and his coffin was placed here for a while. Therefore, the original green glazed tiles of the main halls in Yonghe Palace were changed to yellow glazed tiles. Also, because Emperor Qianlong was born here, and two emperors were related to this place, it became a “lucky place where dragons once lurked”. In 1744 (the 9th year of the Qianlong reign), Yonghe Palace was converted into a Lama temple, and prime ministers in charge of affairs were specially appointed to manage the affairs of this temple, with no fixed number of staff. It can be said that Yonghe Temple was a Buddhist temple with the highest specification in the middle and late Qing Dynasty, playing an important role in the religious and political life of the Qing Dynasty and witnessing the rise and fall of the Qing Dynasty.
Featured Landscapes
Hall of Heavenly Kings:
It is the first main hall of Yonghe Temple. In the golden lacquered shrine in the middle of the hall, there is a statue of Maitreya Bodhisattva with a smiling face and a bare chest. On the east and west sides, there are clay statues of the Four Heavenly Kings, which are about 3 meters high and are the protective deities in Buddhism.
Main Hall of Yonghe Temple:
Also known as the Hall of Silver Peace, it is the main hall of Yonghe Temple. In the middle of the hall, there are three bronze statues of the Three Buddhas of the Ages, each about 2 meters high. In the middle is Sakyamuni Buddha of the Saha World, on the east is Bhaisajyaguru Buddha of the Eastern Pure Land of Medicine, and on the west is Amitabha Buddha of the Western Paradise of Ultimate Bliss. On the east and west sides of the main hall, there are also standing statues of Green Tara and White Tara made of bronze.
Wanfu Pavilion:
It is the most magnificent building in Yonghe Temple, with three tiers of eaves and a height of more than 30 meters. Inside the pavilion stands a statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is exquisitely carved from a single white sandalwood tree. It is 18 meters high, with 8 meters buried underground. It is the largest single-piece wooden Buddha statue in China, with a vivid shape and exquisite craftsmanship.
Dharma Chakra Hall:
It is in the shape of a “cross” in plan. There is a large skylight on the roof, which provides good lighting. In the middle of the hall, there is a gilded bronze statue of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. In front of the statue, there is a pair of bronze lying deer, which is a characteristic symbol of Tibetan Buddhist temples.
Precautions
1.Respectful Worship:
Yonghe Temple is a Buddhist temple. After entering, you should keep quiet and solemn, and respect religious beliefs and customs. Do not make loud noises, chase or play around, and do not behave disrespectfully towards the Buddha statues and monks.
2.Appropriate Attire:
: Dress appropriately when visiting, and avoid wearing overly revealing or strange clothes. It is better to take off your hat when entering the halls.
3.Comply with Regulations:
Obey the guidance and arrangements of the staff and abide by the visiting regulations of the temple. For example, photography is prohibited in some areas, and you should strictly comply with this.
4.Pay Attention to Safety:
Yonghe Temple has many buildings. When visiting, pay attention to your footing, especially when going up and down the stairs or entering narrow passages, and be careful.
5.Respect Cultural Relics:
Do not touch or damage cultural relics and buildings, and jointly protect this historical and cultural treasure.
6.Arrange Time Reasonably:
According to the opening hours of Yonghe Temple and your own itinerary, arrange the visiting time reasonably to avoid missing important landscapes.
7.Keep Valuables Safe:
In crowded places, pay attention to keeping your personal belongings safe to prevent loss or theft.