The Lama Temple is the largest and best-preserved lamasery in Beijing. It was built in 1694 as the residence of the Emperor Yongzheng (the third emperor of the Qing Dynasty) before he ascended the throne. In the year 1744, the residence was completely converted into a lamasery. Thus this complex is endowed with the style of an imperial palace, making it distinctive from others. It occupies an area of 16 acres and is described as a mini-palace with yellow glazed tiles on the roof and red walls circling the group of buildings.
As a result of the ancient architecture, every element of the temple is entirely symmetrical, with main halls on a north-south axis and wing halls on both sides. It comprises of a courtyard in the south and five main halls in separate courtyards in the north: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of Everlasting Blessings, the Hall of the Dharma Wheel and the Pavilion of Infinite Happiness. The temple combines various architectural styles of the Han, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan.
Various scenes of the Temple
The Ming Tombs is the general name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.
Only the Sacred Way, Changling Tomb, Dingling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb are open to the public. The Dingling Tomb, the one I visited, is under ground and about 27 meters deep. It is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the thirteenth emperor and his two empresses. The entire palace is made of stone. The Soul Tower is symbolic of the whole of Dingling and it forms the entrance to the underground chambers. The yellow glazed tiles, eaves, archway, rafters and columns are all sculpted from stone and painted.
Served by three stone doors, it is divided into three Halls consisting of five high palaces - the front, the middle, the rear, the left and the right palaces. The Gate of the Tomb, the Gate of Eminent Favor and the Lingxing Gate all have the same structural form.
The front hall, considered the square of the Palace, has no building within it. No special artefacts remain in either the left and right palaces that are about 7 meters high, six meters wide, and 26 meters long. However, each has a centrally placed white marble coffin bed, the surface of which is covered with gold bricks. On each bed there is a square hole filled with loess. This is the so-called "Gold Well". A paved path leads to the central hall where there are three white marble thrones. Incense, candles and flowers were set in front of the thrones. Before each of them, there are glazed 'Five Offerings' and a blue china jar that would have been filled with sesame oil to be used for lamps. The rear hall is the main and biggest part of the Palace. The coffins of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses are in this palace. There are also some precious items displayed with these coffins; among them is the gold imperial crown, one of the world's most rare treasures.
Sign seen outside the tombs - We feel that it is necessary to remind visitors with heart problems to consider carefully whether they should enter the underground chambers. The atmosphere and dull lighting can be a problem. As always, do not hesitate to consult your guide, who will be able to offer advice.
As a result of the ancient architecture, every element of the temple is entirely symmetrical, with main halls on a north-south axis and wing halls on both sides. It comprises of a courtyard in the south and five main halls in separate courtyards in the north: the Hall of the Heavenly Kings, the Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of Everlasting Blessings, the Hall of the Dharma Wheel and the Pavilion of Infinite Happiness. The temple combines various architectural styles of the Han, Manchu, Mongolian and Tibetan.
Various scenes of the Temple
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The Ming Tombs is the general name given to the mausoleums of 13 emperors of the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644). The mausoleums have been perfectly preserved, as has the necropolis of each of the many emperors. The layout and arrangement of all thirteen mausoleums are very similar but vary in size as well as in the complexity of their structures.
Only the Sacred Way, Changling Tomb, Dingling Tomb and Zhaoling Tomb are open to the public. The Dingling Tomb, the one I visited, is under ground and about 27 meters deep. It is the mausoleum of Emperor Zhu Yijun, the thirteenth emperor and his two empresses. The entire palace is made of stone. The Soul Tower is symbolic of the whole of Dingling and it forms the entrance to the underground chambers. The yellow glazed tiles, eaves, archway, rafters and columns are all sculpted from stone and painted.
Served by three stone doors, it is divided into three Halls consisting of five high palaces - the front, the middle, the rear, the left and the right palaces. The Gate of the Tomb, the Gate of Eminent Favor and the Lingxing Gate all have the same structural form.
The front hall, considered the square of the Palace, has no building within it. No special artefacts remain in either the left and right palaces that are about 7 meters high, six meters wide, and 26 meters long. However, each has a centrally placed white marble coffin bed, the surface of which is covered with gold bricks. On each bed there is a square hole filled with loess. This is the so-called "Gold Well". A paved path leads to the central hall where there are three white marble thrones. Incense, candles and flowers were set in front of the thrones. Before each of them, there are glazed 'Five Offerings' and a blue china jar that would have been filled with sesame oil to be used for lamps. The rear hall is the main and biggest part of the Palace. The coffins of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses are in this palace. There are also some precious items displayed with these coffins; among them is the gold imperial crown, one of the world's most rare treasures.
Sign seen outside the tombs - We feel that it is necessary to remind visitors with heart problems to consider carefully whether they should enter the underground chambers. The atmosphere and dull lighting can be a problem. As always, do not hesitate to consult your guide, who will be able to offer advice.
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| Actual copies of the coffins of Emperor Zhu Yijun and his two empresses |
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| Signs seen on the site |
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| Blue china jar that would have been filled with sesame oil to be used for lamps |
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| Door ornament |
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| Ceiling Decoration |
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| Gold bricks removed from the tomb |
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| The external part off the tomb |
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| I liked the elephant seats |
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| The entrance to the tomb area |
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| A young empress |
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