The Lama Temple is the only temple in Beijing that is called a “palace”. It is famous for its spectacular Buddhist temples and its efficacious prayers. The entire building is very magnificent and exquisite in Han, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan styles. Suppose you want to appreciate the unique charm of the Lama Temple deeply. In that case, you might as well follow this super practical nanny-level Lama Temple guide carefully compiled in this article to explore the Lama Temple from all angles. Find the best China city tours.
The Lama Temple was originally the residence of Emperor Yongzheng of the Qing Dynasty as a prince and a beile. It was also the place where Emperor Qianlong of the Qing Dynasty was born and grew up. It was also the residence of these two generations of emperors before they ascended the throne. After going through changes, it was converted into a temporary palace for the Qing emperors and finally into a royal temple. At present, the Lama Temple is not only the largest temple in Beijing, China, but also the highest-standard Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Han area. Its architecture is magnificent and exquisite, and its layout is exquisite. It is a standard layout of Chinese Buddhist temples.
In addition, Lama Temple is also regarded as a “universal temple” in the eyes of ordinary people. It is very popular. If you visit the site, you can see many devout people burning incense, and you can also see the three wonders of wood carving and various exquisite furnishings and ornaments, appreciate the power and charm of the royal Buddhist place, and imagine the emperor’s life here.
2. How to play and what to see in Lama Temple
1. Admire the magnificent architecture of Lama Temple
The Lama Temple faces south and is very rigorously laid out. The courtyard gradually shrinks from south to north, while the palaces rise successively. The architectural style is also very unique, integrating the architectural arts of Han, Manchu, Tibetan and other ethnic groups. Because it was once a royal palace and an imperial palace, its decorations and furnishings are very gorgeous and exquisite, showing the royal style. In addition, the “Maidala Buddha” in the Ten Thousand Buddha Pavilion is the crown of the three wonders of the Lama Temple. The other two wonders are the Nanmu Buddha niche in the Zhaofo Building and the Five Hundred Arhats Mountain in the Falun Hall. The carving art is extremely superb and lifelike. The imperial inscription “Lama Said” in the middle of the temple is a popular attraction and is worth seeing. Therefore, when you come to the Lama Temple, you must calm down and immerse yourself in its luxurious and magnificent architecture and layout.
The exquisite architecture of Lama Temple
2. Pray for yourself, your family and friends
There are more than 200 Buddhist halls in Lama Temple, with hundreds of Buddha statues. The statue of Avalokitesvara is the most popular, and believers pray for blessings and protection, which is said to be very effective. Because Lama Temple integrates the characteristics of Han and Tibetan Buddhism, the statues of Maitreya Buddha and Tsongkhapa are also popular. In addition, other halls can also be used to pray for career, wealth, marriage, etc.
Pilgrims burning incense and praying at Lama Temple
3. See the priceless cultural relics in Lama Temple
The Lama Temple is a key cultural relic protection site in China. It has many cultural relics, among which the statue of Master Tsongkhapa and the white sandalwood Maitreya Buddha are more famous. In addition, the embroidered statue of Green Tara , the shrine of the Five Hundred Arhats Mountain, and the “three-washing basin” used by Emperor Qianlong on the third day of his birth are also worth seeing.
Maitreya Buddha statue at Lama Temple
In addition, the courtyard in front of the Dacheng Hall is the best place to take panoramic photos of the Lama Temple. It is recommended to take photos when the light is soft, which will result in better photos.
3. Best itinerary recommendations for Lama Temple
1. 5-day tour of Beijing: the collision of ancient and modern civilizations
Highlights: This route will take you to appreciate the different charms of Beijing’s ancient architecture and modernization, explore the solemn Tiananmen Square, the magnificent Forbidden City, the picturesque Summer Palace, the winding and magnificent Mutianyu Great Wall, the magnificent Temple of Heaven, the magnificent Lama Temple, the literary Confucius Temple and the Imperial College, the quaint and lively Hutongs and other ancient buildings, as well as the breathtaking Bird’s Nest, the uniquely shaped Water Cube, and the bustling business center, and appreciate the ancient capital style and modern city style of Beijing.
2. 3-Day Beijing Highlights Tour
Highlights of the trip: This route is the most essential itinerary for Beijing tourism . It will take you to explore the unique and magnificent Temple of Heaven, the winding and majestic Mutianyu Great Wall, the majestic and solemn Tiananmen Square, the splendid and exquisite Forbidden City, the ancient and prosperous Old Hutong and other key attractions in Beijing, taste the most authentic specialties, and deeply appreciate the style of the capital.
4. What is the most effective prayer at Lama Temple?
It is said that praying at Lama Temple is more effective, so endless people are going there every day to burn incense and worship Buddha, especially on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month. It is worth noting that you need to choose the right hall to pray. If you want to pray for a career , please go to the Falun Hall; if you want to pray for wealth , please go to the Lama Temple; if you want to pray for health , please go to the Medicine Master Hall; if you want to pray for children or marriage, please go to the Guanyin Cave; if you want to pray for everything to go well ,please go to the Lama Temple ; if you need to consecrate, please go to the Consecration Hall.
In addition, the bracelets in Lama Temple are extremely famous and can be purchased at the Dharma Distribution Center on the west side of the Yongyou Hall . These bracelets are made by collecting the ashes from the incense offered by pilgrims and then adding them to glass beads . Their efficacy has been upgraded as a result, and it has the meaning of attracting good luck. If you need to buy the bracelets, it is recommended to queue up in advance.
Lama Temple bracelet
Prayer Guide
1. Incense from Lama Temple is available for free, no need to bring your own;
2. When burning incense, you should hold the incense in your left hand and light it all at once, symbolizing a sincere wish;
3. The consecration ceremony at Lama Temple is free of charge. You can bring your items or purchase them at the Dharma Distribution Center.
5. Transportation to Lama Temple
The Lama Temple is about 5.4 kilometers from the center of Beijing. It is close and conveniently accessible by subway or bus. Take subway Line 2 or Line 5 and get off at Lama Temple Station; take buses No. 13, 684, 116, 117, 2, 18, 62, 606, 909, 44, and 800 to reach the Lama Temple.
If you don’t want to worry about transportation but want to have a better visit to Lama Temple, you can choose our Beijing tour group , which will be accompanied by professional and reliable tour guides throughout the trip to escort you and provide the best tour routes to help you enjoy Lama Temple.
6. Tips for visiting Lama Temple
1. Please respect local religious beliefs and cultural customs, and do not touch or destroy cultural relics at will;
2. Because you are visiting a temple, it is recommended that you dress modestly and avoid wearing overly revealing or flashy clothes;
3. Enter the hall from the two side doors, not from the middle door. Men should enter from the left and women from the right. Do not step on the threshold, but step over it, men with the left foot and women with the right foot.
4. Keep the environment clean and tidy, and do not litter;
5. When you receive the free incense , remember to take it with both hands ;
A corner of Lama Temple
In short, Lama Temple is a magnificent royal temple, with both royal style and Buddhist temple specifications. It is said to be the most effective place for praying. This place is not only prosperous in incense, but also contains many artistic treasures, such as the exquisite craftsmanship of the three unique wood carvings, the majestic bronze Mount Xumi, the compassionate and solemn three-life Buddha, and the profound meaning of the six-path reincarnation diagram, all of which are breathtaking and truly the best choice for play. If you are planning a trip to Beijing, you may wish to contact us to tailor a Beijing travel plan for you, so that you can explore the charm of the ancient capital in depth.
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