The Tibetan Lamasery Beijing

The Tibetan Lamasery is also called Yonghe Gong and it is located at the northeast corner of Beijing. It is an ancient temple built in 1694 A.D. It is, in fact, the largest and most perfectly preserved lamasery in present day China. The Tibetan Lamasery was originally built in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty.

Emperor Yongzheng used this Lamasery as his residence when he was a prince. The dwelling finally got its status changed to a lamasery in the year 1744 by the Qing Dynasty and thereby Yonghe Lamasery became the national center of Lama administration.

The south end of the Tibetan Lamasery has a screen wall and three paifangs or gateways. The north gate has a wide straight road that was used for the carriages of the emperors. Yonghe Gate is originally the main entrance to the Lamasery. It is now called Devaraja Hall or the Hall of the Heavenly Kings. This is because on both sides of the inner palace walls there are statues of four very powerful Heavenly Kings.

Hall of Harmony and Peace (Yonghegong) is the main palace of Yonghe Lamasery with three bronze statues of Buddhas. These are Sakyamuni in the middle, Kasyapa-matanga on the right and Maitreya on the left. The hall has 18 Arhats or statues of Buddha disciples positioned on both sides. North of the Hall of Harmony and Peace is Yongyoudian or Hall of Everlasting Protection, which was Emperor Yongzheng's living room as a young prince.

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