The architectural layout of the Lama Temple, is complete and follows the conventions of Buddhist temple. At the front of the temple stands a towering archway, and a ceremonial path is laid out before the Zhaotai Gate, showcasing the grandeur of royal construction. The seven structures in the front section, including the Zhaotai Gate, Bell Tower, Drum Tower, Yonghe Gate, Yonghe Lamasery, Hall of Scriptures, and Hall of Tantra, embody the standard layout of a Chinese Buddhist temple known as "Seven Halls and Courtyards."

The rear halls of the Lama Temple rise in levels, symbolizing the solemn and auspicious world of the Buddha. The "one large and four small" Tibetan-style skylights on the roof of the Dharma Wheel Hall of the Great Sutra Hall hold a profound meaning, representing the Buddhist concept of Mount Sumeru(须弥山) being surrounded by the four continents. The establishment of the Hall of Scriptures, Hall of Tantra, Wheel of Time Hall, and Medicine Buddha Hall, known as the "Four Major Dratsang," signifies that Lama Temple is a complete educational institution of Tibetan Buddhism. The tallest building, the Hall of Ten Thousand Buddhas, and the huge "Maitreya Buddha" towering inside, embodies the sacred realm of the "future coming Buddha" and the "Tushita Heaven."

The most significant royal inscription in the central part of the temple is the "Lama's Discourse" (喇嘛说), which proclaims to the world the fundamental national policy of government involvement in managing religious affairs. This inscription also established the Lama Temple's status as the "Foremost Royal-Designated Temple" in Beijing and as the central authority for managing Tibetan Buddhist affairs under the Qing government.

The collection of cultural relics at the Lama Temple mainly includes immovable artifacts such as ancient architecture and stone inscriptions, as well as movable artifacts like Buddha statues, Thang-ga, and Buddhist ritual objects. Due to its status as an imperial temple during the Qing Dynasty, the items in Lama Temple's collection primarily originate from imperial bestowals, tribute from Mongolian and Tibetan regions, and the casting of Buddha statues and ritual objects by the Qing Imperial Workshops. Intangible cultural heritage encompasses various practices, including festive rituals and ceremonies, Vajrayana demon-quelling dances, Buddhist music, Laba rice porridge tradition, the craftsmanship of altar enclosures, techniques for making intricate dough sculptures used as offerings, and the art of Tibetan script.