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Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) vs Lama Temple (Yonghegong)

Both Summer Palace and Lama Temple are highly recommended by expert reviewers. Overall, Summer Palace ranks marginally higher than Lama Temple. Summer Palace ranks #1 in Beijing with recommendations from 7 reviews including Michelin Guide, Fodor's and Afar Magazine.

Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
Summer Palace (Yiheyuan)
9 / 10
19 Xin-jian-gong-men Rd, Haidian District, Beijing 100084
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"The greenery provides a welcome relief from the loud, bustling city. It also teaches a fabulous history lesson." Full review
Concierge Concierge
"Once a warm-weather retreat for the Qing dynasty's imperial court, the Summer Palace... is a lovely place to escape the urban smog."
i
Arrive early to avoid crowds, or dodge them with a stroll around the water, as the Qing Empress Dowager Cixi might have done in the 19th century.
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"It must have been quite a schlep for emperors of old—who traveled in slow-moving palanquins along with hundreds of courtiers to get to this beautiful, serene lakeside palace." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
3 Stars
"This summer palace was restored at great expense at the end of the 19C by the empress Cixi."
i
This enchanting site... should not to be missed.
Travel + Leisure Travel + Leisure
"Considered a masterpiece of Chinese landscape design, visitors can avoid the crowds by packing a picnic, renting a boat, and exploring some of the lesser-known halls and pavilions." Full review
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Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
Lama Temple (Yonghegong)
9 / 10
12 Yonghegong Dajie, Beijxinqiao, Dongcheng District, Beijing 100007
From $0 /night
Fodor's Fodor's
"Beijing's most-visited religious site and one of the most important functioning Buddhist temples in Beijing." Full review
Frommer's Frommer's
"If you visit only one temple after the Temple of Heaven, this should be it." Full review
Michelin Guide Michelin Guide
2 Stars
"This lamasery, one of the major attractions in Beijing, boasted a spiritual aura equal to that of the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. I."
Condé Nast Traveler Condé Nast Traveler
"Visit one of the few practicing Tibetan Buddhist Temples in Beijing and see the tallest Sandalwood Buddha carving." Full review
Afar Magazine Afar Magazine
"This Tibetan Buddhist temple was once the residence of a Qing Emperor." Full review
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