The architecture of the Imperial Palace witnesses fully the high skills and creative talent of the ancient Chinese craftsmen . It is a brilliant gem of ancient architecture in the world .

　　Lapuneng Temple. It is a magnificent temple of the Yellow Sect of Lamaism . It was the heart of politics , religion and culture of the Tibetans living in the junctures of Gansu , Qinghai and Sichuan provinces . At its prime , it had a hierarchy of over 3,500 monks . Lying on the northern bank of the Daxia River in Xiahe county of Gansu province , the temple is surrounded by mountains . The river passes through the temple . Adjacent to the temple are spruces and poplars . It was erected at the 49th year of the reign of Kangxi (1710 A.D.) , with tiers of storeys , open windows , carved upturned eaves , golden tiles and red walls , displaying a solemn splendor in the sunshine .
　　The Temple comprises six Buddhist academies , viz , the Contemplation Academy ,the Upper Section Academy , the Lower Section Academy , the Warrior Buddha Academy , the Samsara Academy and the Medicine Academy , sixteen Buddha Halls , eighteen residences of Living Buddhas , two Scriptures Teaching Rostrums and extensive Lamas’ dormitories . It is a colossal architectural complex , occupying more than 80 hectares of ground , with no less than 10,000 rooms , like a town of moderate size .

　　The Contemplation Academy is the center of the temple . On the top of its gate is a horizontal tablet conferred by Emperor Qianlong with the inscription of “Wisdom & Awakening Temple .” The main hall of the Academy has a 11-partition front , is 100 meters wide and 75 meters deep with 140 thick pillars . The main hall can accommodate 4,000 Lamas praying simultaneously . In the dimly lighted hall are hung many colorful pennants amidst the smoke arising from more than one hundred butter oil lamps , producing a quite mystic air . Its roof is quite flat and wide , decorated with gorgeous carved gold bottles , gold sheep , gold wheels , etc .
　　Of the Buddha Halls , the largest hall is the Temple of Longevity and Fortunes ; which is more than 20 meters high in six storeys , with a carved golden dragon winding round the roof and a couple of bronze lions squatting at the entrance . Its appearance is very grandiose .