Thursday 20 March 2014

Beijing Series - Yonghe Temple 雍和宮

An exceptional temple well worth a visit. 

Within the temple complex, there were riveting roofs, magnificent decorative arches, beautiful silk tapestries, exquisite carpentry, Tibetan prayer wheels, a fabulous collection of Tibetan Buddhist statues in one of the side halls, and an impressive collection of Tibetan Buddhist ornaments in another side hall. It was a treasure trove.

The street outside the temple entrance heaves with shops piled high with statues of Buddha, talismans, Buddhist charms, incense and keepsakes. And nearby, one can find hutongs that have been partially gentrified.

The entire temple complex was shrouded in incense smoke.

A pair of marble lions sit astride the front of one of the Temples

Magnificent Buddhas in one of the Temples

The prayer room

Within the Lamasery complex.
Wisps of incense smoke rising from the burners

One of the series of Temples