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Bucket list experience:

Last updated: 04 November, 2022
Expert travel writer: Thomas O’Malley

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.

Don't miss

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.

While you're there

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.

Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

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.

When to do it

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.

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Private Half-Day Temple of Heaven and Lama Temple Tour by Metro

Private Half-Day Temple of Heaven and Lama Temple Tour by Metro

Beijing

Utilizing public transportation to make for easy access to famous religious attractions Temple of Heaven and Lama Temple in Beijing City. Fr...

$88 | Rating 5 / 5 [6 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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4-Hour Private Tour: Lama Temple, Confucius Temple, Guozijian Museum with Dim Sum

4-Hour Private Tour: Lama Temple, Confucius Temple, Guozijian Museum with Dim Sum

Beijing

This private 4-hour walking tour showcases the beauty, culture and tradition of Beijing's two most iconic temples and followed by a dim sum ...

$97 | Rating 4.83 / 5 [12 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Beijing Historical Tour II including Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Panda Garden

Beijing Historical Tour II including Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Panda Garden

Beijing

Visit two of Beijing’s most important historic sites on a full-day tour that features the Lama Temple (Yonghegong) and UNESCO heritage-liste...

$99 | Rating 4.07 / 5 [148 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Early Bird Beijing Dim Sum Breakfast with Lama Temple Tour

Early Bird Beijing Dim Sum Breakfast with Lama Temple Tour

Beijing

This 4-hour morning tour combine eating and sightseeing.Start your day with a delicious Dim Sum in the local nice restaurant. Follow your ex...

$99 | Rating 5 / 5 [6 ratings]

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Tour supplied by:

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Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first

The Orchid

Beijing, China[1.6 miles]

Easy-going boutique hideaway with an authentic hutong setting. Houhai Lake is a short walk away, and breakfasts feature artisanal, locally-sourced ingredients.

Official star rating:

The Opposite House

Beijing, China[2.2 miles]

Modish design hotel combining Kengo Kuma’s architectural invention with contemporary interiors and top dining.

Official star rating:

Peninsula Beijing

Beijing, China[3.6 miles]

Enjoying a central location and huge, all-suite rooms, the long-established Peninsula is a safe bet for a holiday splurge.

Official star rating:

Mandarin Oriental Wangfujing

Beijing, China[4 miles]

Palatial guest rooms and Forbidden City views make this Beijing’s best hotel for a special occasion splurge. Its Wangfujing location puts the city’s central sights within walking distance.

Official star rating:

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Beijing

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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Our writer’s recommendations of other bucket list experiences our writer says you must do in this destination, closest first

Jingshan Park

Beijing, China[3.1 miles]

Beijing’s best park is also one of its only central hills, offering inspiring views of the Forbidden City. It’s also where elderly locals come to sing, dance and let off steam.

Best for ages: 13+ | £3

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Beihai Park

Beijing, China[3.5 miles]

Once the preserve of emperors, the sculpted surrounds of Beihai Park are dotted with fascinating temples, halls and pavilions, and crowned by the magnificent White Dagoba, towering over the central boating lake.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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Traditional performing arts in Beijing

Beijing, China[3.6 miles]

From the mystique of Peking opera to the daredevil feats of acrobats and kung-fu masters, China’s cultural capital is a great place to get acquainted with traditional Chinese performing arts.

Best for ages: 13+ | £40 | 2-3 hours

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Other worthwhile experiences near this experience if you have time or interest..

front entrance to Confucius-Temple
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Temple of Confucius

Beijing, China[0.2 miles]

Carved tortoise-like beasts heave enormous stone slabs on their backs at this grand temple complex honouring China’s foremost spiritual thinker, the great sage Confucius. The attached Guozijian (Imperial College) is where scholars of old studied for their civil service exams.

Best for ages: 13+ | Free

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UnTour Food Tours

Beijing, China[0.7 miles]

A fun way to get your foodie bearings, UnTour’s ‘Old Beijing Dinner Tour’ visits several hidden hutong restaurants and bars, introducing local specialities like Beijing-style hotpot and the city’s famous sorghum-based firewater, Erguotou. 5 stops and 15 tastings.

Best for ages: 13+ | £75 | 3 hours

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Drum Tower

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Rising up imperiously over grey hutong rooftops, the Drum Tower (together with the adjacent Bell Tower) has sounded the rhythm of Beijing for centuries. Climb the steep steps for exhibits on time-keeping in ancient China, and an hourly drumming performance.

Best for ages: 13+ | £3

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Beijing, China[2 miles]

Beijing’s official timekeeper since the age of the Mongols, this splendid, 47-meter tall stone tower, facing its compatriot the Drum Tower, houses a gigantic copper bell said to weigh over 60 tons.

Best for ages: 13+ | £3

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