Temple of the Lamas Tour + Wudaoying Hutong

On this guided tour, we'll discover the secrets of the Temple of the Lamas, one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist shrines in the world. We'll also stroll through the vibrant Wudaoying Hutong!

Tour Details

At the indicated time, we'll meet at YongHeGong subway station. Once gathered, we'll enter the most significant Tibetan Buddhist shrine outside Tibet, the Temple of the Lamas!

Our journey begins at the Yonghe Palace, known as the Temple of the Lamas. This complex is popular and its history and beauty will be revealed.

For about an hour and 10 minutes, we'll walk through its sacred courtyards lined with incense while admiring the architectural details of the pavilions. We'll contemplate the imposing statue of the Buddha, 18 meters (60 ft), carved from a single trunk of white sandalwood.

Next, we'll travel back to the 17th century to discover how this palace was constructed for Prince Yongzhen and later became an important monastery for the Lama monks. We'll pass by various traditional buildings, including the famous incense burners where the faithful place their incense sticks.

Afterward, we'll walk for another hour and 10 minutes through Wudaoying Alley, an urban spot that combines the old soul of the city with a modern air. As we explore, we'll pass by traditional cafés, designer stores, and charming bookstores, framed by the typical architecture of the hutong.

Following the tour of this alley, we'll conclude the experience, totaling 2.5 hours.