| To get to the Earth Altar is quite easy. Simply take | | | | likely to run into stalls selling various types of |
| subway line #2, and get off at ANDINGMEN station. | | | | incenses. Most of them sell for less than RMB 10, a |
| Exit through Exit A, and turn right onto the | | | | little cheaper than inside the temple. In the Buddhist |
| ANDINGMENWAI DAJIE. Take a look around. Here, | | | | religion, people burn incenses while they pray. |
| the word traffic is synonymous with 'traffic jam': in | | | | The entrance fee to the lamasery is RMB 25. |
| the past decade the number of cars in Beijing streets | | | | Yonghegong Lamasery |
| has been soaring, and this phenomenon shows no | | | | Under Buddha's Gaze...Built in 1649 in the early Qing |
| sign of slowing. Your eyes will probably stop at the | | | | Dynasty, the Yonghegong Lamasery first served as |
| familiar faces of KFC and McDonald's, among an array | | | | the residence of then-prince Yin Zhen, the fourth son |
| of fast food restaurants. | | | | of Emperor Kang Xi. Yin Zhen later succeeded Kang |
| Earth Altar: where Emperors Pray Affluence for His | | | | Xi on the imperial throne, and moved into the |
| Subjects | | | | Forbidden City. In 1744, he converted his former |
| Earth Altar Park - Initially built in 1533 to serve as the | | | | residence to a lamasery, as part of an overall plan to |
| place where emperors of Ming and Qing dynasties | | | | help govern the religious policy of Tibet and Mongolia, |
| offered (non human) sacrifices to the 'Supreme Ruler | | | | two geographically important regions of China. |
| of the Earth', the Altar played an important role in | | | | One of the westmost ethnic groups in China, the |
| the country's political life then. It was erected as the | | | | Tibetans have their own religion--Tibetan Buddhism--a |
| counterpart of the Altar of Heaven (or Temple of | | | | Buddhist branch which arrived from India around the |
| Heaven) that lies in the southern part of the town. In | | | | late eighth century. Buddhist monks practice Tibetan |
| ruins for many years, the altar was restored a few | | | | Buddhism daily at a lamasery, like this one in the |
| years ago, and now offers a lovely venue to the | | | | capital. A Buddhist spiritual leader is usually called a |
| locals. | | | | Dalai Lama. Since becoming a lamasery, YongHegong |
| Just walk down the street 5 minutes: you will arrive | | | | Lamasery has housed several Dalai Lamas. |
| at an ancient gate on your right, quite distinguishable | | | | As one of the most important lamaseries in China for |
| from the surrounding high-rises. This is our first stop | | | | centuries, the Yonghegong lamasery not only serves |
| for the day. | | | | as a temple, but also as a conduit for the central |
| The entrance fee is a couple of yuans. The park is | | | | government to govern Tibet. Even today, it serves |
| quite tranquil and photogenic, with rows of Gingko | | | | as an "embassy" between the central government |
| Biloba trees. Its ancient walls have much charm. | | | | and the Tibetan Buddhist community. |
| Follow the road signs to visit, they are written in | | | | The layout of the temple is similar to that of the |
| both Chinese and English. The park actually houses a | | | | Forbidden City-the main halls align along a central axis, |
| series of ancient structures, the most prominent | | | | with side buildings flanking them. The main structure |
| being, of course, the Earth Altar. The altar lies in a | | | | features 5 main halls: the Hall of Heavenly Kings, the |
| central axis; other auxiliary structures flank it. Each | | | | Hall of Harmony and Peace, the Hall of Everlasting |
| had its own functions. Zai Sheng Ting, for instance, | | | | Protection, the Hall of the Wheel of Law, and the |
| was where the animals were slaughtered and | | | | Pavilion of Infinite Happiness. In addition to various |
| prepared for the offerings. Zhai Gong, on the other | | | | Buddha statues decorating each of the halls, the |
| hand, served as the residence of the emperor during | | | | temple also houses a sea of Buddhist treasure: |
| the annual ceremony. It has been renovated, and | | | | sutras, wheels of law, tangkas, and many more. |
| transformed into a waxwork museum. | | | | Stroll around the temple at your leisure. Make sure |
| The most renowned Earth Altar or Fang Ze Tan is | | | | you do not miss the giant 18 meter Buddha statue in |
| square. It was built to resemble the shape of the | | | | the Pavilion of Infinite Happiness before you leave. |
| Earth as it was perceived in ancient china. It | | | | The statue was carved out of a single piece of |
| comprises two levels, and covers an area of about | | | | sandalwood! And yes, it's in the Guinness Book of |
| 2,000 square meters. Giant tripods served to burn | | | | World Records. |
| incense, and offer the sacrificial animals. The altar is | | | | Should you wish to offer a prayer to Lord Buddha, |
| enclosed by stone gates and walls. The significant of | | | | there are various methods. The simplest is to kneel |
| Huang Qi Shi or the "Earth God Worship House" is as | | | | down in front of the statue, lower your head, close |
| important, though lesser known. It lies next to the | | | | your eyes, and make an earnest request. Other |
| Earth Altar. A place of rituals and worship, the hall | | | | people might proceed differently. Never mind, the |
| was used by emperors to offer sacrifices to various | | | | most important thing is to be sincere. If you bought |
| lower-ranked gods: the gods of mountains, and the | | | | some incense, you can light several sticks before |
| gods of seas. The atmosphere here is quite tranquil, | | | | praying. |
| and everything you see lends an air of greatness and | | | | Of course, no tourist destination is complete without |
| sacredness to the place. You will shell out an | | | | souvenirs shops. And the YongHe Lamasery harbors |
| additional RMB 5 to visit both sites. Other sites are | | | | several of them for your gift and souvenir needs. |
| free of charge. | | | | They carry beautiful handicrafts, gifts, and |
| Let's head now to the Yonghegong lamasery. Exit | | | | accessories from the Tibetan region-'the roof of the |
| the park through its southern gate. Walk for 5 | | | | world', and 'the land of Yat and Yeti'. Prices are |
| minutes to the YONGHEGONG Bridge and the 2nd | | | | reasonable, especially for a touristic hallmark. |
| ring road. You can see here the YONGHEGONG | | | | How to Return |
| subway station where lines 2 and 5 cross. Get across | | | | When you are finished, simply exit the temple at the |
| the street to walk to YONGHEGONG DAJIE | | | | front gate (southern gate). Here you may either walk |
| (Yonghegong St). Look around: your eyes will catch | | | | southward for 5 minutes to get to the BEIXINQIAO |
| the beautiful red wall which surrounds the temple. | | | | station on subway line #5, or simply walk northward |
| Renovated on a regular basis, they are still in good | | | | to return to the YONGHEGONG station, on subway |
| condition today. Stroll on for 5 minutes, and you will | | | | line #2. |
| reach the temple entrance. Along the way, you are | | | | |