Lama Temple (Yonghegong), Beijing: Hours, Address, Lama Temple (Yonghegong) Reviews: 4.5/5
Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
4.5
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
About
A series of beautiful pavilions comprise this Mongolian-Tibetan yellow-sect temple, which features an impressive fifty-four-foot high Buddha carved from one piece of Tibetan sandalwood.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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The area
Address
How to get there
- Yonghegong Lama Temple • 3 min walk
- Beixinqiao • 10 min walk
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
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2,746 within 5 kms

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Yong Cafe
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0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Cafe • Fast food • Street Food

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0.2 km$$ - $$$ • Middle Eastern • Soups • Georgian

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21
0.1 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese

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15
0.4 km$$ - $$$ • Chinese • Asian • Cantonese

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16
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Attractions
644 within 10 kms

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Contribute
Popular mentions
4.5
4,205 reviews
Excellent
2,397
Very good
1,469
Average
307
Poor
27
Terrible
7
Oscar Tegni
Stockholm, Sweden22 contributions
Mar. 2021
Beautiful and cool place that should be on your list of places to see in Beijing.
Its covers a huge area, pavilion after pavilion. Would recommend having a guide to to understand the history and architecture.
Its covers a huge area, pavilion after pavilion. Would recommend having a guide to to understand the history and architecture.
Written 2 November 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Malgorzata
11,025 contributions
Oct. 2020
An amazing Buddhist temple in the heart of Beijing. Beautiful temple complex was built in 1694. Formerly a prince's home, then a royal palace and finally becoming a temple in the mid-18 century. Lama Temple has beautiful grounds, amazing architecture and practicing monks. The architecture and layout of this place is really incredible, the giant sandalwood carved Buddha is particularly impressive. In this temple we can see also the bronze Buddhas of past, present, and future. Worth a visit if only to enjoy the peace and tranquility, and escape the noise of modern Beijing. One of my favorite spots in Beijing which I would wholeheartedly recommend to anyone.
Written 29 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
KW M
Belfast, UK542 contributions
Oct. 2020
I have lived in China for several years, and perhaps I have grown complacent, but temples like this are through all Chinese cities. The architecture, the colours, the history and the landscaping are all lovely. If you have never been to a temple in China, or if you thoroughly enjoy them, go have a look, it is very easy to get to as the metro stops right there. If you have limited time, or if you have seen a few temple complexes before, you can skip it, Beijing has many more sites to explore.
Written 6 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
BettyG
74 contributions
Sep. 2020 • Couples
We live in China for several years so for us it was “another buddhist temple” but I believe for new comers it is stunning and unique place :) They care about this landmark, all looks nice, very lively place.
Written 26 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
325beth
Valencia, Spain44 contributions
Sep. 2019
A beautiful and relaxing temple. Very impressive buildings and a great insight into Chinese Buddhist temples. Would recommend if visiting Beijing.
Written 16 August 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
PBlyth
Tampa, FL234 contributions
Jan. 2020
This is one of the finest examples of a functioning Buddhist temple you will find in China. You will see many monks and worshippers burning incense to Buddha and get to walk in and through a number of buildings that the Emperor actually lived in during the 1750's AD. There are many different Buddhist statutes but the most impressive of all is a 50 ft tall wooden Buddha carved from a single sandlewood tree trunk. It is so big that the building had to be built around the Buddha after it had been moved into pace. Worth a look.
Written 8 April 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
152globetrotter85
Derby, UK43 contributions
Nov. 2019
A beautiful and large temple. Incredibly peaceful place for meditation and incense provided for prayers.
Written 27 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jennifer S
Beijing, China53 contributions
Apr. 2019
Impressive and beautiful, lots of photo opportunities. Can be very crowded. Best days to go are weekdays, never on a local holiday.
Written 8 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
carlosv
San Francisco, CA7 contributions
Jan. 2020 • Couples
Visited the Lama Temple, Hutong, panda zoo, Jingshan Park, and Olympic Stadium in one day. We traveled the right time of the year. No crowds, no waiting in lines, and front row for everything. Jackson, our guide was amazing. Spoke very good English and he was very knowledgeable. We toured Hutong on a rickshaw and had lunch with a local family. No complaints when you get to tour like that. My wife and I really enjoyed it. Highly recommended
Written 25 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Sarah
Selangor, Malaysia30 contributions
Dec. 2019
There are many people visiting this temple, but what really caught my eyes is the architecture. This is the first location I went, and it was a very good start.
Written 21 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Manuela
Worms, Germany
Hallo Andrea. Wir fliegen im April 2020 für 3 Tage Stopp Over nach Peking. Es würde sich gleich an diesem Tage anbieten, den Lama-Tempel zu besuchen. Kann man die Karte direkt am Eingang kaufen oder ist es besser, diese über einen Veranstalter zu ordern. Vielen Dank für Ihre Antwort. Liebe Grüße Manuela
Holger K
Muenster, Germany801 contributions
Hallo liebe Grüße aus Münster,
Ja man kann die Karte direkt am Eingang kaufen. Geht problemlos. Viel Spaß in Peking.
Enrico Z
160 contributions
Senza entrare ,si può cmq anche vedere dall'esterno? (Purtroppo avrò uno scalo aereo dove la maggior parte del tempo la dedicherò alla muraglia e alla città proibita)
Paolo62B
Padua, Italy756 contributions
No, da fuori non vedi nulla.
Una volta li ti conviene entrare almeno nella zona Anteriore.
10 minuti possono bastare per alcune foto.
NHANNGUYEN2036
Philadelphia, PA379 contributions
Is there any shop selling brass Buddha statue nearby?
Jackson L
Singapore, Singapore659 contributions
Many. all along the road across the main entrance
Helen L
Vero Beach, FL38 contributions
Is a guide recommended for Lama Temple or can you do it on your own without a guide? Thanks!
LondonHH72
United States260 contributions
Yes, you could visit without one. But, I think going with a guide would be beneficial. That is what we did.
Beth R
Lexington, KY67 contributions
Did you travel to this attraction from the PEK airport? I have a long layover and was hoping to go to the Lama Temple during it but wasn't sure how long it would take to get there and back to the airport.
Suman Raj
Kathmandu Valley, Nepal61 contributions
Lama Temple is very near to subway. so reaching there is fairly easy
Itziar
Barcelona, Spain192 contributions
¿Alguien sabe más o menos a que hora suelen comenzar los monjes a cantar etc.?
Gonzalo G
Pontevedra, Spain78 contributions
Hola!
La verdad es que el templo está siempre muy tranquilo, con la mayoría de los monjes ocupados en mantener las salas en orden...
Durante nuestra visita (un lunes), en dos salas se reunieron dos grupos de monjes a rezar y cantar a eso de la una de la tarde, pero no te puedo confirmar si es habitual o no...
Espero que te pueda servir de algo esta respuesta.
welltravelled0808
Atlanta, Georgia433 contributions
Does anyone know what time the monks are typically praying and chanting. Have Googled and cannot find this information.
Thanks!
Emma B
London, UK32 contributions
I will only be in Beijing for the evening. Is it worth going to the temple at 6pm when it will be dark to see it from the outside, or will there be nothing to see?
Sonal R
Mumbai, India122 contributions
No it closes at 4:00 or 4:30 PM. You will just see the entrance gate .
holidaymaddd
London, UK1,014 contributions
Hi what is the earliest time this is open? We are coming at the end of November and on our last day we have a flight at midday and are looking for an early morning activity.
Claire S
Salt Lake City, UT219 contributions
Depending on the time of day and the weather, you have to really be careful about traffic getting to the airport! One trip by taxi took us 50 min (from close to the Forbidden City), and another took almost 2 hours (from same location)! We nearly missed our flight. It was uncomfortably tight. So depending on your flight and your personality, you could probably be at the Lama Temple when it opens at 9 and still make your flight at midday, although it might not be the serene experience it could otherwise be. (And then, you need to consider the time it takes to find a taxi!)
Indietrasher
San Antonio, TX2 contributions
How can I get to the Lama Temple from PEK Intl Airport? If someone can please share options (taxi/Metro) with estimated time and cost it would be appreciated! I have a 6hrs layover in Beijing and was planning to use this time to visit....thanks!
farmakeros f
Larissa, Greece299 contributions
It is difficult to manage it but here it is:
1. Beijing Capital International Airport TO Dongzhimen (AirportLine) CNY 25
2. Dongzhimen TO Yonghegong Lama Temple (Line 2) CNY 40 (CNY 20 Deposit for the metro card + CNY 20 minimum charge)
Time aprox. 1,5 hour
3. Lama temple CNY 25
Time aprox. 1 hour
4. Yonghegong Lama Temple TO Dongzhimen (Line 2)
5. Dongzhimen TO Beijing Capital International Airport (AirportLine) CNY 25
Time aprox. 1,5 hour
You need 4 hours (if you are fast), 5 hours normally and CNY 115, but you have to check-in in the airport after. When we were in this airport we saw the longest queue in our life! The taxi is not better. Maybe you need more time to go to the temple (it depends to the traffic) and you need aprox. CNY 250 to go, wait and return.
Frequently Asked Questions about Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
- Lama Temple (Yonghegong) is open:
- Sun - Sat 9:00 am - 4:30 pm
- We recommend booking Lama Temple (Yonghegong) tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 228 Lama Temple (Yonghegong) tours on Tripadvisor
- According to Tripadvisor travellers, these are the best ways to experience Lama Temple (Yonghegong):
- Beijing Historical Tour II including Summer Palace, Lama Temple & Panda Garden (From AU$83.26)
- Half Day Tour To Lama Temple and Confucius Temple in Beijing (From AU$175.97)
- Beijing Lama Temple, Panda Garden and Ancient Altar Day Tour (From AU$165.00)
- Private Customized Beijing City Day Tour with Flexible Departure Time (From AU$167.45)
- Flexible(4-12 Hours) Private Beijing Downtown Layover Tour (From AU$120.62)
- Hotels near Lama Temple (Yonghegong):
- (0.23 km) Sweetome Vacation Rentals (The Lama Temple Hongyunge)
- (0.52 km) Beijing 161 Lama Temple Courtyard Hotel
- (0.28 km) P.LOFT Youth Hostel
- (0.33 km) The Classic Courtyard
- (0.86 km) Grand Mercure Beijing Dongcheng
- Restaurants near Lama Temple (Yonghegong):
- (0.11 km) King's Joy
- (0.14 km) Yong Cafe
- (0.14 km) Experteas (Lama Temple)
- (0.14 km) COSTA COFFEE(YongHeGong)
- (0.07 km) Was Park
- Attractions near Lama Temple (Yonghegong):
- (0.01 km) Xiuguan
- (0.18 km) Lost Plate Beijing Food Tours
- (0.22 km) ChinaHiking
- (0.16 km) Fangjia Hutong
- (0.13 km) An Ding Gate