Yunhaegong Temple

Yonghegong Lama Temple is one of the main historical and architectural monuments in Beijing. The temple is under state protection. It is one of the largest monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism remaining in Beijing. The temple stretches along the south-north axis, its length is 480 meters, and its width is 120 meters. The entire complex covers an area of about 66,440 square meters.

History of the temple:

Construction on the site of the temple began in 1694 under the emperor Kangxi of the Qing dynasty. It was originally used to house imperial eunuchs. It then became the palace of Prince Yongzheng, the son of Emperor Kangxi. After ascending the throne in 1722, half of the building was converted into a Lamaist monastery, while the other remained an imperial palace. The new emperor began to rule under the motto of Yongzheng - Harmony and Justice, the palace was given the name Yunhegong, which, on the one hand, can be translated as "Palace of Peace and Harmony", and on the other - can be interpreted as "Palace of Yun, who became Emperor".

After Yongzhen's death in 1735, his coffin was placed in this temple. Yongzhen's successor, Emperor Qianlong, granted the temple imperial status. This was reflected in the fact that turquoise shingles were replaced with yellow, which was allowed only to the emperors. After that, all Chinese emperors once a year held a ceremony of remembrance of ancestors.

Later in 1744, the monastery at the temple became the residence for a large number of monks adherents of Tibetan Buddhism from Mongolia and Tibet. Yunhegong Monastery became the national center of Lama administration. This was a political move, as Qianlong hoped that such attention to the faith of the people of Mongolia and Tibet, to the Lamaist temple, as well as the recognition of Lamaism as the official religion would reassure people and try them on with the rulers of China.

Buddhism is the dominant religion in China. Buddhism came to China from India in the 1st century, but Lamaism, one of the sects of Tibetan Buddhism (it includes shamanistic beliefs and teachings) came to influence only after the Mongol conquest of Tibet and China in the 13th century. Mongolian rulers had close ties with Tibetan Buddhist leaders and this led to the spread of Lamaism throughout China. During the Qing Dynasty, the influence of Lamaism was strengthened by the Manjours, who also held this faith.

Yunhegong Temple is a temple and monastery of the Geluk school of Tibetan Buddhism. This temple is one of the largest and most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the world. The architecture and painting of the temple combines the Chinese style of Han and Tibetan, as well as some Mongolian motifs. Since the monastery was created in honor of the cult of Galug, the temple has its own holidays and festivals, except for traditional Buddhist holidays. In addition to the usual rituals performed on the mornings of the 1st, 10th, 15th and 30th days of each lunar month, other Buddhist ceremonies are held each year.

The temple opened to the public in 1981. On the approach to the temple there are many shops that sell incense sticks and other utensils.