Yonghe Temple, better known as the Lama Temple, is a working Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Beijing’s old city. Built in 1694 as a residence for the future Yongzheng Emperor, it became a lamasery under his son, the Qianlong Emperor, in 1744. Its imperial history is intertwined with Qing relations with Tibet and Mongolia, reflected in the mix of Han Chinese and Tibetan architectural traditions throughout the complex.
A sequence of courtyards and halls leads past incense burners, gilded figures and worshippers to the Wanfu Pavilion. Inside stands the temple’s most astonishing sight: an 18-metre-tall statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a single trunk of white sandalwood. The side halls are worth exploring too, for their intricate Buddhist art and a quieter view of the monastery.
Visit on a weekday morning for a calmer experience; Chinese New Year and major Buddhist festivals bring especially large crowds. Allow around 90 minutes, and follow posted photography rules, particularly inside the halls. Yonghegong station, on subway Lines 2 and 5, is a short walk from the entrance.