CHINA

BEIJING. SIGHTS OF INTEREST. Yonghegong Lamasery
 

Yonghegong Lamasery is an elegant and ancient temple, the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in China. It was built in 1694 as a residence of Emperor Yongzheng, Qing Dynasty, when he was just a prince. In 1744 the Qing Dynasty changed the status of the residence into a lamasery one. Yonghegong Lamasery became the National Center of Lama Administration. The words by Emperor Qianlong carved in stele on two octagonal Stele Pavilions of the complex explain the traditional and historical reasons of changing the residences used by Imperial Family members into temples.  

You can ask us what a lamasery or Lama Temple is. Lamaism is a form of Buddhism primarily practiced in Tibet and Mongolia. The head of Lamaism is the Dalai Lama. 

One of the main attractions of this complex is an enormous wooden statue of Maitreya carved from sandalwood. It’s eight meters in diameter and 18 meters high. It’s the highest statue of Buddha made of wood in China.  

An ancient copper cooking vessel made in 1747 at the Qing Dynasty is one of the three rarest things in Beijing. The words by Emperor Qianlong about the origin and meaning of Lamaism are carved in stele sides of the vessel. The palace complex comprises the architectural features of Han, Tibetan, Manchurian and Mongolian styles. Yonghegong Lamasery is a place all Buddhists are eager to go to!