Yonghe Temple II

Another image from the Yonghe temple in Beijing (see Yonghe Temple) showing the lavish painting on the archways and the exquisite metalwork on temple censers. Originally built as an imperial palace during the Qing Dynasty, the sprawling structure was later converted into a Tibetan Buddhist monastery. It is one of the largest and most important Geluk lamaseries in the world. [NOTE: Palms together to Zhiyao Lu for introducing me to this amazing place and waiting patiently as I repeatedly bowed and offered incense (thx, Yao)].