Is incense included in the ticket?

Yes, free eco-friendly incense is provided at the entrance. Bringing outside incense is forbidden.

Beijing · Dongcheng

Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple)

Verified 2026-05-08 · High confidence

Why this stop matters

Once the residence of Prince Yong (later the Yongzheng Emperor), this palace was converted into a lamasery in 1744. It is the most important Tibetan Buddhist temple in Beijing, renowned for its architectural fusion of Han, Tibetan, and Mongol styles and its collection of priceless religious art.

AliasesYonghe Temple (Lama Temple)雍和宫雍和宮

Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) Opening Hours

Peak Season (Apr 1 — Oct 31):09:00 — 17:00 (Last entry: 16:30)
Off Season (Nov 1 — Mar 31):09:00 — 16:30 (Last entry: 16:00)
Holiday notes: Extremely crowded on the 1st and 15th of each lunar month.

Operational notes

• Free incense is provided inside; outside incense is not allowed.
• Dress respectfully (no short skirts or revealing tops).
• Photography is forbidden inside the prayer halls.

Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) Booking & Reservation

Reservation required:No

QR CODE ENTRY (Highly Recommended): Purchase via the 'Yonghegong Visitor Service' (雍和宫游客信众服务) WeChat Mini-program. Use the generated QR code to swipe directly at the gate. Paper tickets are available at the on-site office for those without WeChat.

Official Website

Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple) Tickets & Prices

Standard Admission: CNY 25
Reduced Price (Students/Seniors): CNY 12
Same listed price for foreign visitors:Yes

Digital payment via WeChat is standard for tickets. Cash is accepted at the service center for paper tickets.

Guided tours

Official Guided Tour

Starts from 200 CNY (Foreign Language)

Important Reminders

Overtime: 15-min extension incurs +50% of the base fee.
Indirect translation is charged at the foreign language rate.
Groups over 30 people must be split into two.
Forbidden: Group pooling/merging at the site.
Etiquette: Offer incense ONLY AFTER the full tour concludes.

Professional guidance available in Chinese, English, German, and Russian. The tour covers the main halls and history of the temple.

1–3 People (Foreign Lang)200 CNY

4–6 People (Foreign Lang)400 CNY

7–10 People (Foreign Lang)500 CNY

11–20 People (Foreign Lang)700 CNY

21–30 People (Foreign Lang)900 CNY

Booking Phone

Inquire at the Visitor Service Center. No group pooling allowed.

Free Smartphone Audio Guide

Free

Scan QR codes throughout the temple to listen to Chinese and English commentary on your own phone.

Getting to Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple)

Main GatePrimary entry

Metro Line 2 / 5

Yonghegong • Exit F • 2 min walk

Taxi reference
Recommended to use 'DiDi' app for real-time pricing from your location

Best Time to Visit Yonghe Temple (Lama Temple)

Weekday mornings at 09:00. Avoid weekends and the 1st/15th of the lunar month to ensure a more spiritual, less crowded experience.

Insider Tips

The World Record Buddha

The Maitreya Buddha in the Pavilion of Ten Thousand Happinesses is carved from a single piece of white sandalwood from India. It stands 26 meters total (18m above ground).

Foreign visitor tips

Passport needed at entry

Yes

Survival Tips

A deeply atmospheric visit. The scent of incense and the vibrant colors of the Tibetan prayer flags create a peaceful escape. The 18-meter statue of Maitreya Buddha in the Wanfu Hall is a world-record marvel. Emergency: Area Rescue: +86 010-84191919.

Ticketing Tips

Digital is Better: The WeChat mini-program accepts international names easily. Swiping the QR code at the turnstile saves significant time.
Official Guides: If hiring a guide (200+ CNY), note that group pooling is strictly forbidden at the site. Also, it is customary to offer incense only AFTER your tour is complete.
Free Audio: Look for QR codes near the entrance to access the free smartphone audio guide in English/Chinese.
Etiquette: Always walk clockwise around shrines.

Photo rules

Photography is strictly forbidden inside any hall containing Buddha statues. Security is vigilant.