Now that Buddhism is tolerated by the government, the Lama Temple is an active worship center as well as an architectural treasure.
Buddhist Temples are extremely pleasant to visit: you go through one splendid hall after an another, each more ornate than the last.
At 4:30 sharp, the Lama Temple closes to the public. The monks scurry about, shutting the incense burners and closing the shutters.
The
famous Temple of Heaven, by comparison, is not an active place of
worship.
That is not to say that it is of no spiritual significance. The Temple
of Heaven is actually a vast park with many structures dating from the
same period as the Forbidden City. This is where the emperors came to
fast
and to pray for good harvests.
Today the Temple of Heaven is a popular place, and not only with tourists. It is one of the many spots in Beijing where seniors meet to dance, sing, exercise, and play cards.
