Lama Temple

Lama Temple (or Palace of Peace and Harmony) is the largest and best-preserved lamasery in Beijing. It was built in 1694 during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) as the residence of the Emperor Yongzheng (the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty) before he ascended the throne. After the prince came to the throne, half of the residence was used as an imperial palace and the other half was converted to a lamasery. In the year 1744, the residence was completely converted into a lamasery. So this resplendent architectural complex is endowed with the style of an imperial palace, making it distinctive from others. The splendid temple combines various architectural styles of the Han, the Manchu, the Mongolian and the Tibetan.

It features five large halls and five courtyards with beautifully decorative archways, upturned eaves and carved details, occupying an area of 66,400 square meters (16 acres). It houses a treasury of Buddhist art, including sculptured images of gods, demons and Buddha, as well as Tibetan-style murals. The Temples setout is very similar to the Forbidden City, and is described as a mini-palace with yellow glazed tiles on the roof and red walls circling the group of buildings.

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