The Lama Temple is one of the renowned Buddhist Temples of Tibetan origin that is actually located outside Tibet. There are several delightful things to watch out for when you visit this temple – the amazing woodwork, the beautiful frescoes, the colorful tapestries, the Tibetan prayer wheels, magnificent statues & many others. Originally the residence of Emperor Yong Zheng, it was converted to a lamasery in 1744. Buddhist devotees from all over the world visit this temple every year.
In the Hall of the Wheel of the Law i.e. the fourth hall from the entrance, there is a magnificent bronze statue of the smiling Tsong Khapa in bright yellow robes, the founder of the Gelugpa or Yellow Hat sect.
The Wanfu Pavilion that is placed fifth from the entrance is adorned by an 18m-high statue of the Maitreya Buddha in his Tibetan form. It is believed that this statue was sculpted from a single piece of sandalwood. Right behind the statue, there is the Vault of Avalokiteshvara which houses a blue-faced statue of Guanyin. The Wanfu Pavilion is connected to the Yansui Pavilion, where there is a huge revolving lotus that holds a statue of the Longevity Buddha.