Beijing Yonghe Lama Temple: Advance Entry Ticket

Beijing's Largest Buddhist Temple Holds 300 Years of Tibetan Monasticism

You secure timed entry to Beijing's principal Buddhist temple without the risk of sold-out tickets or morning queues. The Yonghe Lamasery, built as an imperial palace in 1694 and converted to a monastery in 1744, sits two minutes' walk from Yonghegong subway station. Explore the courtyards and prayer halls at your own pace, with full wheelchair accessibility throughout the grounds.

Step-by-step itinerary

Visit Yonghe Lama Temple in Beijing

• Take Subway Line 2 or 5 to Yonghegong Station
• Exit station from Exit F
• Walk south then east to temple
• Enter Yonghe Lama Temple

The Experience

The Yonghe Lamasery isn't what you'd expect from a temple tucked into Beijing's city grid. Built in 1694 as a palace for Emperor Yongzheng before he took the throne, it became something stranger and more alive when his son, Emperor Qianlong, brought 300 Tibetan monks and 200 Chinese students through its gates in 1744. That shift—from imperial residence to one of Buddhism's greatest centers outside Tibet itself—is still written into the courtyards and prayer halls. Walking in, you're moving through a space that changed its entire purpose and never looked back.

Buying your ticket in advance means you don't spend the morning negotiating entry or discovering the day's slots are full. You pick your time, confirm it, and arrive knowing you're getting in. The temple sits right off Yonghegong Station on Subway Line 2 or Line 5—Exit F puts you two minutes' walk away—so getting there is straightforward even if you're navigating Beijing for the first time. The whole site is wheelchair accessible, and if you're traveling with small children, strollers work throughout the grounds.

Once inside the Yonghe Lama Temple, the scale becomes clear. Courtyards open into courtyards, prayer halls rise in sequence, and the air carries the weight of centuries of practice. You move at your own pace, no guide narrating, no group holding you back. That freedom is what makes an advance ticket worth the small step of booking ahead—you're not locked into a tour time or a group size, just guaranteed entry on the day you choose.

What’s included

Your ticket includes entry to the Yonghe Lama Temple on your chosen date and time, plus the ticket booking service charge. You explore the temple grounds at your own pace with no guide or group schedule.

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyInfant seats availableNot for heart conditions

Operated by happychinatours

Is this one for you?Right for travelers who want to see Beijing's largest Buddhist temple without the uncertainty of sold-out tickets or morning queues—advance booking removes both and locks in your entry time.

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Top questions

How do I get to Yonghe Lama Temple from central Beijing?

Take Subway Line 2 or Line 5 to Yonghegong Station, exit at Exit F, and walk south then east for about two minutes. Bus routes 13, 116, 117, 684, and others also serve the area.

What happens if I buy a ticket in advance—do I skip the line?

Your advance ticket guarantees entry on your chosen date and time, so you avoid the risk of sold-out slots and don't need to arrive early to buy at the gate.

Can I use a stroller or wheelchair at the temple?

Yes. All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible, and strollers work throughout the grounds. Specialized infant seats are also available.

When was Yonghe Lama Temple built, and why?

It was built in 1694 as a palace within Beijing's city wall for Emperor Yongzheng. In 1744, after Yongzheng's son became Emperor Qianlong, it was converted into a monastery and temple, housing 300 Tibetan monks and 200 Chinese students.

Is this temple one of the largest Buddhist temples in China?

Yes, it is Beijing's principal and largest Buddhist temple, and one of the greatest centers of Buddhism outside of Tibet.

Do I need to be in good physical condition to visit?

The temple is suitable for all physical fitness levels. However, it is not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.