Bucket list experience:
Beijing, China
Lama Temple
One of Beijing’s most spectacular historic sights, the Lama Temple started out as a grand imperial residence before being converted to a lamasery for Tibetan Buddhists in 1744.
During the Qing Dynasty, it became one of the most important religious sites in China, tasked with determining the reincarnations of the Dalai Lama and the Panchen Lama.
The palace-like site unfolds symmetrically through a series of ornamental halls, courtyards and pavilions to its incense-shrouded finale, an 18m tall statue of the Maitreya Buddha carved from a single trunk of Tibetan sandalwood.
The Wanfu Pavilion (Pavilion of Eternal Happiness) is the temple’s most-awe-inspiring chamber, containing within an 18-metre high Buddha statue carved from sandalwood.
Just to the west of the Lama Temple is Wudaoying Hutong, a bohemian strip of quirky boutiques, vintage shops and hip third wave cafes like Metal Hands.
A visit to the Lama Temple pairs wonderfully with lunch or afternoon tea at neighbouring King’s Joy, a serene vegetarian fine-dining restaurant opened by a former Buddhist disciple.
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Destination Guide >Conveniently, the Lama Temple has its own subway stop called Yonghgong Lama Temple (Line 2 & 5).
There is no need to pre-book tickets, but you might be asked to show your passport at the ticket office, so have it with you.
Audio guides are available in multiple languages for a small fee. You might also be able to hire an official English-speaking guide at the entrance gate, depending on availability. Independent guides hawking their services are best avoided.
Note that photography isn’t permitted inside the halls, but is allowed in the courtyards.
Allow up to two hours for your visit.
The Lama Temple is open all year round, seven days a week.
If you visit on a weekday, you probably won’t need to queue. The temple is generally quieter in the afternoon.
Avoid visiting during the first few days of Chinese New Year, when locals descend in their droves to pray for good fortune.
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Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
China
A burgeoning megacity with one foot in the past, Beijing is a marvellous melange of UNESCO-listed heritage buildings set within an ever-more tech-forward cityscape. Come for the culture, the people, and of course the food.
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