Monasteries
Most communities in Tibet built and support monasteries and temples. Some are located in the most remote places, on top of mountains, in the middle of lakes and grasslands. The monasteries near towns and cities are often visited by pilgrims and locals, making offerings and taking part in Buddhist teachings and festivals with the monks.
Samye Monastery
Samye monastery is the first Buddhist Monastery in Tibet. The monastery was built in the 8th Century by the Tibetan King Trisong Detsen with the help of Guru Rinpoche. The design of the monastery is based on Odantapur Temple in Bihar in India with a design representing the universe. The central building of the monastery… Read more →
Region: U-Tsang
Attraction Category: Monasteries
Pabongkha Temple, Lhasa
Pabongkha is located on the foot of the mountains in the Northern suburb of Lhasa city. Although Pabongkha is not well known to tourists, it plays important role that cannot be neglected in the cultural development in Tibetan history, where scholar Thomi Sambota invented the Tibetan language based on Sanskrit after he came back from… Read more →
Region: U-Tsang
Attraction Category: Monasteries
More than 700 years old Gar Monastery in Kham
More than 700 years old Gar Monastery is located 3700 meters above sea level and 70 kilometers from Nangchen County. Around the year 1200, Ghar Chödingpa founded the monastery at the beautiful Zaqu Valley since which this monastery produced some of the greatest masters and yogis of Kham Nangchen. Ghar monastery is divided into two: Upper Gar Monastery which… Read more →
Region: Kham
Attraction Category: Monasteries
Kora of Ganden Monastery
This is one of the most beautiful walks near Lhasa, a lovely drive through green countryside and traditional villages to get to Ganden and away from the tourists who go to see only the monastery. I once saw a sky burial from afar from the Kora (circuit), and always come into contact with the most… Read more →
Region: U-Tsang
Attraction Category: Monasteries
Meru Nyingma temple
Tucked behind the Jokhang in Lhasa is Meru Nyingma temple, the former residence of the Tibetan State Oracle during the Great Prayer Festival, which was held annually just after the Tibetan New Year. It’s only a small temple on the north side of the Jokhang, but you must pass several other small and interesting temples… Read more →