China

Description

This half-day private tour allows you to see the Yonghe Lamasery, also known as Lama Temple, the Temple of Confucius and Beijing Guozijian (the Imperial College).

Your exploration begins with a visit to the Lama Temple which is one of the largest Tibetan Buddhist temples in Beijing and a popular worship place for locals. You'll learn that the Lama Temple was a princely residence and a government building before it was used as a Buddhist temple. You’ll find out how the yellow sect Tibetan Buddhism became the most popular one, and hear what the locals think about Buddhism. Admire three treasures in this temple: the largest sandalwood Buddha in the world, the bronze Buddhas of past, present, and future, and the 500-Arhat-Hill.

Next, you'll walk through a beautiful and quiet street to Confucius Temple and the Imperial College, built by the grandson of Kublai Khan in 1306. The former college was the supreme academy during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties. Today, the museum showcases the exam system used to select talent for government roles in feudal China. Finally, follow your tour guide to explore a stone 'forest' of 190 stelae recording the 13 Confucian,000 Chinese characters.