Yonghe Palace

Located in the northeastern part of Beijing, Yonghe Palace is a temple and monastery of the Geluk School of Tibetan Buddhism. The building and the artworks of the temple combine Han Chinese and Tibetan styles.

History

Yonghe Palace has a history of more than 300 hundred years. Building on the Yonghe Palace started in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty. It originally served as an official residence for court eunuchs. It was then converted into the court of the Prince Yong (Yin Zhen), a son of the Kangxi Emperor and himself the future Yongzheng Emperor. After Yongzheng's ascension to the throne in 1722, half of the building was converted into a lamasery, a monastery for monks of Tibetan Buddhism. The other half remained an imperial palace.

After Yongzheng's death in 1735, his coffin was placed in the temple. The Qianlong Emperor, Yongzheng's successor, gave the temple imperial status signified by having its turquoise tiles replaced with yellow tiles which were reserved for the emperor. Subsequently, the monastery became a residence for large numbers of Tibetan Buddhist monks from Mongolia and Tibet.

Main Architecture and Artworks in Yonghe Palace

The temple is mainly composed of three exquisite arches and five grand halls. The whole palace covers an area of 66,400 square meters of floor with more than a thousand rooms. The buildings in the palace are distributed along a north-south central axis, which is 480 meters. The five main halls are separated by courtyards: the Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yonghegong), the Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tian Wang Dian or Devaraja Hall), the Hall of the Wheel of the Law (Falundian), the Hall of Everlasting Protection (Yongyoudian), and the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (Wanfuge).

【The Hall of Harmony and Peace】
The Hall of Harmony and Peace, known as Yonghegong in Chinese pinyin, is the main architecture of Yonghe Palace. There are three bronze statues of the Buddhas of Three Ages: the statue of the Gautama Buddha (Buddha of the Present) in the middle, the Maitreya Buddha (Buddha of the Future) in the left side and statue of Kasyapa Matanga (Buddha of the Past) in the right side.

【The Hall of the Heavenly Kings (Tian Wang Dian or Devaraja Hall)】
The Hall of the Heavenly Kings is located in the south tips of the whole palace. It acted originally as the main entrance to the monastery. There is a statue of the Maitreya Buddha standing in the center of the hall and four Heavenly Kings statues are arranged along the walls.

【The Hall of the Wheel of the Law (Falundian)】
The Hall of the Wheel of the Law is used for conducting religious ceremonies and reading scriptures. There is a large statue of Je Tsongkhapa, who is a founder of the Geluk School. This statue was made in 1924 and took two years to finish it. The Five-Hundred-Arhat-Hill, a carving made of red sandalwood with statues of the arhats made from five different metals (and tin, gold, copper, silver, iron,) is also sited in the hall. They are 5 meters high, 3.5 meters long and 30 cm wide.

【The Hall of Everlasting Protection (Yongyoudian)】
The Hall of Everlasting Protection was used for the living quarters and the study of Emperor Yongzheng as a prince and the place where his coffin was placed after his death. Today, three Buddha statues stand in this hall, which are 2.35 meters high and made from sandalwood. The plane graph of it is T-shaped. There are 5 skylight windows at the top of the building, five gold copper pagodas, as a traditional Tibetan architectural style.

‌Top Things to Do in The Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)‌

1. ‌Marvel at the Architectural Grandeur‌

The Lama Temple, once a royal residence and later a monastery, boasts a meticulously designed layout that blends ‌Han, Manchu, and Tibetan architectural styles‌. Its buildings ascend in height from south to north, while the courtyards gradually narrow, symbolizing a spiritual journey toward enlightenment.

‌Must-see highlights‌:

‌The Three Masterpieces‌:

• ‌The Giant Maitreya Buddha‌: Towering 18 meters in the Wanfo Pavilion, this sandalwood-carved statue is crowned as the temple’s "First Wonder."
• ‌Nanmu Wooden Shrine in Zhaofo Hall‌: A delicately carved Buddhist shrine, showcasing unparalleled craftsmanship.
• ‌500 Arhats Mountain in Falun Hall‌: A breathtaking bas-relief sculpture depicting 500 lifelike arhats (enlightened disciples).
• ‌Imperial Stele "Lama Shuo"‌: Located in the central courtyard, this stone monument inscribed by Emperor Qianlong details the history of Tibetan Buddhism.

‌Pro tip‌: Start your visit early to avoid crowds, and take time to absorb the intricate details of the golden roof tiles, colorful murals, and symbolic motifs like dragons and lotus flowers.

2. ‌Pray for Blessings‌

As one of Beijing’s most sacred Buddhist sites, the Lama Temple is a spiritual hub where visitors pray for health, wealth, and happiness.

‌Key prayer spots‌:

• ‌Avalokitesvara (Guanyin) Hall‌: The busiest shrine, where devotees seek compassion and protection.
• ‌Maitreya Buddha (Milefo)‌: Worshipers pray for joy and fulfillment in front of the temple’s iconic 18-meter statue.
• ‌Tsongkhapa Statue‌: Tibetan Buddhists honor this founder of the Gelug school here.
• ‌Other halls‌: Dedicated to career success, love, and prosperity.

Blessing Tips & Temple Etiquette

• Free Incense: Don’t bring your own. The temple provides free incense at the entrance—just one bundle per visitor.
• Proper Posture: Hold incense above your head, bow to the four directions, and express your wishes with sincerity.
• Respect the Space: Keep your voice down, don’t touch the Buddha statues or ancient relics, and always walk in a clockwise direction inside the temple grounds.

3. ‌Discover Priceless Cultural Treasures‌

Designated as a ‌National Key Cultural Relic‌, the temple houses rare artifacts:

• ‌Sandalwood Maitreya Buddha‌: The world’s largest surviving sandalwood Buddhist statue.
• ‌Green Tara Embroidery‌: A stunning silk tapestry depicting the Tibetan Buddhist deity.
• ‌Emperor Qianlong’s "First Bath" Basin‌: A jade basin used in his royal birth rituals.

‌Photography tip‌: Capture the temple’s全景 (full view) from the courtyard in front of ‌Dacheng Hall‌, ideally during golden hour for soft, glowing light.

Tour Route Through Yonghe Temple

1. Zhao Tai Gate (昭泰門)

This is the first gate you’ll see upon entering the temple. Guarded by imposing stone lions, it sets a majestic tone for the sacred journey ahead. Pause here, adjust your mindset, and prepare to step into a world of peace and reverence.

2. Yonghe Gate (雍和门)

Beyond the first gate is the main entrance of the old imperial palace-turned-temple. Inside, you’ll be greeted by the Four Heavenly Kings, fierce and lifelike statues representing guardians of the four cardinal directions. This spot makes for a striking photo opportunity!

3. Yonghe Palace (雍和宮殿)

This grand hall houses the Three Buddhas of the Past, Present, and Future—with Shakyamuni Buddha in the center, Dipankara Buddha on the left, and Maitreya Buddha on the right. The air is thick with fragrant incense, and the atmosphere commands silent reverence. It’s a powerful place to make a wish—locals believe the more sincere and specific your wish, the more likely it is to come true.

4. Hall of Eternal Blessing (永佑殿)

Home to the Amitayus Buddha (Buddha of Infinite Life), this hall is visited by many praying for health and longevity. Be sure to walk clockwise around the temple while making your wish—a traditional sign of respect.

5. Falun Hall (法轮殿)

This unique hall features an immense bronze statue of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. Above the altar, you’ll see a large plaque written by Emperor Qianlong himself. The hall is rich in Buddhist scriptures and cultural treasures, offering a deeper look into the scholarly side of the faith.

6. Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses (万福阁)

The final highlight of the temple is this towering, 30-meter-high building housing the awe-inspiring 18-meter-tall Maitreya Buddha, carved from a single piece of white sandalwood. This UNESCO-protected statue is breathtaking—you’ll feel humbled and grounded just by standing before it.

Where to Eat Nearby

1. Yonghegong Vegetarian Noodles (雍和宫素面)

• Just steps away from the temple, this simple shop offers flavorful vegetarian noodles with rich broth and traditional flair. A perfect meal after a temple visit.

2. King's Joy (京兆尹)

• A high-end vegetarian restaurant known for its refined dishes and peaceful ambiance. Expect artistic presentation and seasonal ingredients—great for those looking to splurge on a quiet gourmet experience.

3. Qixunbazhao Hutong Dishes (七寻八找·胡同菜)

• A cozy hidden gem just 5 minutes from the temple. Known for its Beijing-style dishes like braised fish lunch boxes, small crispy chicken, and savory rice in thick sauce, this spot combines creativity with local flavor—all at a reasonable price.

Address: Jia No. 1, Alley 2, Yonghegong Xilou Hutong (490m southeast from Exit F of Yonghegong Station)

Shopping & Souvenirs

Yonghe Temple Cultural Shop: Pick up blessing amulets, bracelets, bookmarks, and other elegant souvenirs that make meaningful gifts.

Nearby Shops: The temple’s surroundings are dotted with small stores selling Buddhist beads, aromatherapy products, and mini statues. Great for those who enjoy discovering unique items.

How to Get to Yonghe Palace

• Subway: Take Metro Line 2 and get off at Yonghegong Station, get out of the station from Exit C (Southwest Exit), and walk south about 400 meters, then you'll see it on the east side of the road; or take Metro Line 5 and get off at Yonghegong Station, and get out of the station from Exit C (Southeast Exit).
•  Bus: Take No.13 or 684 and get off at Guozijiang Station;  Take buses No.116 or 117 and get off at Yonghe Palace; Take Te 2, Te 12, 909, 116, 684, 62, 13, 44, 18, 75, and get off at Yonghegong Qiao Dong Station