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N. China
Day 11 - 9th November - Beijing: Lama Temple (Part 2)
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Complex entrance
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Entrance from the carpark
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Yonghegong (Lama Temple) information panel
As you can imagine, this is very important to China to cement its claim on Tibet.
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Pathway in
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I like how the entrance to the complex-proper has 4 languages on it, including Khitan (rightmost)
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Gathering to burn incense
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Lion
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West Pavilion, 1744
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Turtlish creature in pavilion
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Stele on its back
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Yonghe Gate
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A hall
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"Do not throw incenses or coins"
I'm guessing paper money is alright.
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Tree with no more leaves - but the fruit are still here
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"Esoteric Hall", 1744
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I saw a monk in a robe with canvas shoes and ankle socks.
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Lion and Turtles
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Yonghedian
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Yonghedian interior
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Ceiling hanging
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Through the window
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West Side Hall, 1744
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Prayer drum. I turned it clockwise and the next guy did that too.
I hope I did it correctly, or I'd have spun away all my luck.
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Falundian
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Side view of Falundian statue
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Bench with study lights
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Ceiling niche decor
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Mural
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Wanfuge plaque, 1748-50
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Wanfuge Buddha
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Guinness Plaque for the Maitreya Statue (above) "carved out of a single white sandalwood tree 26 metres high"
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Say "cheese"
There were some artefacts on display, and Tibet Buddhist stuff was quite different but I had no time (I still wanted to visit the Old Summer Palace) and was getting a little jaded, so I only took a forbidden photograph of one.
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Cakrasamvara, 18th century
I liked this as it showed one being in the arms of another
There were some statues of famous monks. They held long pipes in their hands, like hookahs.
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Jie Tai, with the 6th Baichen's mannikin in a lecturing pose. He looked as fake as Mao.