Which one to choose in Beijing
Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) vs Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple)
Two temples in Beijing. Imperial Ancestral Temple (Taimiao) has 4 tickets and tours to book; Lama Temple (Yonghe Temple) has 34 tickets and tours to book. The table and the two notes below put them side by side; the full pages have what to see, the ticket and the timing for each.
Beijing, China
The Imperial Ancestral Temple is a quiet walled park beside Tiananmen with a small entrance fee, and you can usually buy entry on the day. As at most sights in central Beijing, tickets are linked to a passport, so carry it, and be ready for a security check near the square. Ticket resellers online offer the same entry with a booking service on top, which helps if you cannot use the Chinese booking apps.
There are two more interesting reasons to book. Some sellers offer entry to the Forbidden City combined with a route through the temple grounds, which lets you approach the palace from the east side of Tiananmen through the old cypress groves rather than the main crowd;
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Beijing, China
The basic purchase at the Lama Temple is a timed entry ticket, and in recent years Beijing's main sights have required advance real-name booking with a passport number, so buying ahead online is the safest way to make sure you get in on the day you want. Several resellers offer the same entry with a QR code, a digital audio guide or a booking service for visitors who cannot use Chinese payment apps; the ticket itself includes a small bundle of incense sticks for offerings.
Guided products come in a few forms. Short private walks of three to four hours combine the temple with the Confucius Temple and the Imperial Academy, which stand across the street, and often end with tea or dim sum.
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