Lama Temple, also known as the Lamasery, lies on the eastern side of Lama Temple Street. It is a renowned lama temple of the Yellow Hat Sect of Lamaism, which is located in the northeast part of Beijing city. The Lama Temple is the largest, the most well-protected and typical lamasery in Beijing.
Beijing Lama Temple, an ancient temple recomposed up in Ming and Qing Dynasty for lama from Mongolia and Tibet, which formerly was a Xanadu of Emperor QianLong. Lama Temple features five large halls and five courtyards with beautifully decorative archways, upturned eaves and carved details. It houses a treasury of Buddhist art, including sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddha, as well as Tibetan-style murals.
The temple combines the architectural styles of Han, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan peoples. Rosewood Arhat sculptures, white candlewood Buddha statues and Buddha niche carved with silk wood are three must-see things at the temple.
This temple is different from other temples for its uniqueness, in terms of history. It was built in 1694, and was the residence of the Manchu Prince HeZe. In 1723, HeZe succeeded to the throne as Emperor YongZheng. In the third year (1725) of YongZheng's reign, the site was turned into a royal residence, and thus, the green tiles were changed to yellow, for yellow was the imperial color. It was called YongHe Gong (the Palace of Eternal Harmony). The emperor later converted the palace into a lamasery for monks from Mongolia and Tibet, for both Emperor YongZheng and his son, Qianlong, were all believers of Lamaism. After YongZheng's death in 1735, his coffin was placed in the temple. Emperor QianLong, his successor, upgraded Lama Temple to an imperial palace with its turquoise tiles replaced by yellow tiles (yellow was the imperial color in the Qing Dynasty). During the 9th year of Emperor QianLong's reign (1744), it was converted into a lamasery and became a residence for large numbers of monks from Mongolia and Tibet. This is a kind of friendly policy that the Qing dynasty deals with the relation with Mongolia and Tibet. That is the reason why the Great Wall was not massive constructed during the Qing dynasty.
The temple is listed by the Chinese Government as one of the important historical monuments under special preservation. After the death of his father, Emperor YongZheng moved to the Forbidden City. The compound was closed to ordinary people and was renamed Lama Temple (the Palace of Harmony). Green roof tiles were replaced by yellow ones to suit a monarch's home. In 1744 his successor Emperor QianLong converted the palace into a lamasery.
Several renovations have been carried out since 1949.The temple has taken on a new look and was reopened to the public in 1981. It is now not only a functional lama temple, but also a tourist attraction.
Lama Temple, also known as the Lamasery, lies on the eastern side of Lama Temple Street. It is a renowned lama temple of the Yellow Hat Sect of Lamaism, which is located in the northeast part of Beijing city. The Lama Temple is the largest, the most well-protected and typical lamasery in Beijing.
