Lama Temple & Confucius Temple tour Beijing: skip the lines

See two of Beijing's greatest temples without arranging the transport or the tickets

A half-day guided tour of Beijing's Lama Temple and Confucius Temple with hotel pickup, English-speaking guide and entrance tickets included. The tour runs approximately 4 hours and departs at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm, giving business travelers and first-time visitors a structured way to see both temples in a single morning or afternoon without navigating entry lines or finding their own way between sites. A ticket-only option is also available if you prefer to explore independently.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Lama and Confucius Temples

• Be picked up from hotel
• Drive to Lama Temple
• Visit Lama Temple
• Drive to Confucius Temple and Imperial College
• Visit Confucius Temple and Imperial College
• Return to hotel

The Experience

The guide picks you up from your downtown Beijing hotel at either 8:30 am or 1:30 pm and drives you first to the Lama Temple, the largest lamasery in Beijing. Built in 1694, the temple runs along a central axis with five halls and three memorial archways. The Hall of Harmony and Peace is the main structure, and inside it stands the world's largest single-wood Buddha statue — a piece that draws both local Buddhists and travelers. Your guide walks you through the layout and history while you move at your own pace through the halls.

From there, the driver takes you to the Confucius Temple and Imperial College, a complex that sits at the heart of Beijing's intellectual history. The Confucius Temple itself, built in 1302, is the second largest in China and was a place where people paid respects to Confucius, the ancient philosopher and educator. Next to it stands the Imperial College — also called Guozijian — which served as the highest learning institute during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Emperors would come here to read Confucian classics to thousands of students. Your guide explains the significance of both sites before you explore them. After the second temple, the driver returns you to your hotel.

If you book the guided tour option, the private vehicle, English-speaking guide and entrance tickets to both temples are included, so you skip the entry lines and move between sites without planning the route yourself. If you choose the ticket-only option instead, you receive the official entrance tickets and download the QR codes in advance, then visit each temple on your own schedule.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and drop-off at your downtown Beijing location.
• private vehicle or coach (for groups over five people).
• English-speaking professional guide.
• entrance tickets to both the Lama Temple and Confucius Temple.
• skip-the-line entry at both sites.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleInfant seats availableNot for heart conditionsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Lily's Tour Company

Is this one for you?Book the guided tour if you have a half-day window and want a driver to handle transport between temples; choose tickets-only if you'd rather navigate there yourself and explore at your own pace.

Traveler reviews

5.00★★★★★★★★★★

11 verified traveler reviews

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

What is the Lama Temple and why is it worth visiting?

The Lama Temple is the largest lamasery in Beijing, built in 1694, and houses the world's largest single-wood Buddha statue inside the Hall of Harmony and Peace. The temple complex includes five halls and three memorial archways arranged along a central axis, and it remains an active place of worship for local Buddhists as well as a major tourist site.

How much time do I spend at each temple?

The entire tour lasts approximately 4 hours from pickup to drop-off, including travel time between the two temples. Your guide leads you through both sites, but you move at your own pace through the halls and courtyards at each location.

What's the difference between the guided tour and the ticket-only option?

The guided tour includes hotel pickup, a private vehicle, an English-speaking guide and entrance tickets to both temples. With the ticket-only option, you receive the official entrance tickets and QR codes to download, then visit each temple independently on your own schedule.

What is the Imperial College and when was it built?

The Imperial College, also called Guozijian, was the highest learning institute during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Emperors would visit to read Confucian classics to thousands of students, making it a center of imperial education and scholarship in ancient China.

When do the tours depart, and can I choose the time?

Departures are at 8:30 am or 1:30 pm from your downtown Beijing hotel. You select your preferred time when you book, so you can choose the morning slot if you want an early start or the afternoon option if you have other plans in the morning.

Is the Confucius Temple the largest one in China?

No — the Confucius Temple in Beijing is the second largest in China. It was built in 1302 and served as a place where people paid respects to Confucius, the greatest thinker and educationist in ancient China.