Page 23 - (DK Eyewitness) Top 10 Travel Guide - Beijing

Lama Temple (Yonghe Gong) ❮❮ 21

Lion Statue
8 PANCHEN LAMA
A large imperial
lion (left) is a reminder While the Dalai Lama,
that the complex was the head of the sect to
residence of future Qing which the Lama Temple
emperor Yongzheng. On belongs, lives in exile,
ascending the throne in the second head, the
1722, and in keeping with Panchen Lama, resides
tradition, his former in Beijing. In contrast to
home became a temple. the Dalai Lama, the
Panchen recognizes
Chinese authority.
Lama Temple However, the matter
(Yonghe Gong) of the true identity of
the Panchen Lama is
3 6 4
mired in controversy.
China supports one
candidate, while the
Tibetans recognize
another – only he
vanished in suspicious
circumstances in 1995.
7
2

1 8 0 9
Incense
9
NEED TO KNOW Burner
Drum and Bell
There are incense 0
MAP F1 • 12 Yonghe burners (below) in front Towers
Gong Dajie • 6404 4499 of all the many altars The temple’s Drum and
• Subway: Yonghe Gong throughout the temple. Bell towers are in the
• www.yonghegong.cn Shops lining the entryway first courtyard after
Open 9am–4.30pm to the complex and in the passing through the main
daily (Nov–Mar: to 4pm) neighboring streets are entrance. The huge bell
piled with bundles of has been removed from
Adm ¥25, audio guides incense sticks for sale its tower and placed on
¥20 (plus ¥200 deposit) for use at the temple. the ground (above).
• There are various
snack kiosks inside the
Lama Temple, but it is
a better idea to bring
your own refreshments.
• Photography is not
allowed within the
halls, but you can take
pictures of the exteriors
and of the courtyards.
Following pages The blue-tiled Hall of Prayer for Good Harvests, Temple of Heaven

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