Yunhegun Lamaist Temple

The Yonghegong Monastery, located in the northeast of historic Beijing, was built in 1694 by Emperor Kangxi for his son, Prince Yongzheng. The complex consists of five main buildings located in a line from north to south. In 1744, the palace was turned into a monastery, which became a haven for monks from Tibet and Mongolia. After reconstruction in 1981, it was opened to visitors. Tourists are still allowed, despite the fact that it is an active temple.

In the southern part of the monastery are the main rooms. The five main halls - the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of Eternal Protection, the Dharmachakra Hall and the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Good Fortunes - are separated by courtyards. Initially, the main entrance was performed by the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, in the center of which is a statue of the Buddha Maitreya (King of Righteousness), and at the walls there are statues of the four Heavenly Kings.

The central part of the temple is the Hall of Harmony and Peace. There are three bronze statues of Buddhas of three times - Gautama Buddha (Buddha of the present), Buddha Kasyapa (Buddha of the past) and Buddha Maitreya (Buddha of the future). 18 statues of arhats are located in this hall along the walls painted with frescoes.

The original purpose of the Eternal Protection Hall was not cult - Emperor Yongzheng lived here, and after the death of the emperor, his body found rest here. The main ceremonies are held in the Dharmachakra Hall. Here is carved from red sandalwood "hill 500 arhats" with statues of arhats made of gold, silver, copper, iron and tin.

The ten thousand luck pavilion contains a 26-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha carved from a huge sandalwood. This statue was included in the Guinness Book in 1993.