Tibetan Monastery: Top 10 Monasteries in Tibet

Tibet has a small population, but there are monasteries where many people live. According to statistics, there are currently more than 1,788 monasteries/temples in Tibet, including 1,700 Tibetan Buddhist monasteries/temples and 88 Bon monasteries/temples.

In the 7th century AD, king Songtsen Gampo unified Tibet and began to build monasteries. From the 7th century AD to the 9th century, it was the first period of Tibetan monasteries development. During this period, Buddhism has been abolished in Tibet several times, leaving few buildings. Except for a few monasteries during this period (such as Samye Monastery), most monasteries are small in size and often separated Buddhist monasteries. There are few scripture halls in front of the monasteries, and no auxiliary buildings such as monks’ houses. After the 9th century, Buddhism was revived in Tibet. By the 15th century, many denominations and sect branches had been formed, with their own monasteries. Their architectural forms have also developed greatly, and their scale has tended to be large. After the 17th century, there were fewer new monasteries in all parts of Tibet, mainly for the maintenance and expansion of previously built. Tibetan monasteries can be divided according to their sects: Nyingma monasteries, Kagyu monasteries, Sakya monasteries, Gelug monasteries, Bon monasteries, and others.

The geographical environment of Tibet is complex, and the construction of monasteries is closely integrated with topography. Some monasteries are built like castle and palaces, some are built on and surrounded by the mountains, some are located in plain area of ​​the river, some are like garden buildings, and there are mixed with towers and temples in the same structure, and even many monasteries are distributed on river ditches and low hills.

Next, we will give you a detailed introduction to the 10 temples that occupy the most important position in Tibet. They play a very important role in the spread and development of Tibet's history, culture, and religious beliefs.

1. Jokhang Temple
2. Drepung Monastery
3. Sera Monastery
4. Ganden Monastery
5. Samye Monastery
6. Rongbuk  Monastery
7. Pelkor Chode Monastery
8. Tashilhunpo Monastery
9. Sakya Monastery
10. Tsurphu Monastery

Location: Downtown Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 3,650M
Admission: CN¥85
Opening hours: 09:00~18:00
 

Located in the center of Lhasa's old city, Jokhang Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery with a history of more than 1,300 years and has the supreme status in Tibetan Buddhism. Jokhang temple was built during the heyday of the Tubo Dynasty in the seventh century, and the earliest civil-wood structure in Tibet and created the Tibetan plain-flat style temple regulation. It is 4 stories high, and the golden dome and bucket arch of the entire building combines the architectural styles of Tibet, Tang Dynasty, Nepal, and India, become a classical model of Tibetan religious architecture.

Jokhang Temple is regarded as the spiritual center of Tibet, and the termination of pilgrimage for Tibetan Buddhist believers. It is not only a place for worshippers to worship the numerous buddhas and sacred objects but also the ideal model of Buddhism about the universe - the Mandala, three-dimensional and true reproduction of the mantra. There are pilgrims kowtowing in front of Jokhang Temple every day, which shows its high status in the Tibetan people's minds. You will also find many people who hold the prayer wheels outside the Jokhang Temple.

Location: 10 km from Downtown Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 3,800M
Admission: CN¥60
Opening hours: 09:00~14:00

Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery of the Gelug Sect and built-in 1416, with 141 manors and more than 540 pastures. Together with Gandan Monastery and Sera Monastery, it is called the three major monasteries in Lhasa. It is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and a large slope on the south, covered with trees and shrubs. It is in front of the Lhasa River and plain valley. The entire monastery is built in accordance with the mountain.

Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Lhasa and even Tibet, and its number of precious collections is quite amazing. Shoton Festival is the largest religious festival in Drepung Monastery and has become one of the largest festivals in Lhasa. The giant Buddha Thangka paintings will be displayed here in the early morning, and then the Tibetan opera performance will be held. This is a magnificent festival for monks and folks. Every year, many tourists come here to join this big festival and feel the culture and local customs.

Location: Downtown Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 3,650M
Admission: CN¥50
Opening hours: 09:00~16:00
 

Founded in 1419, Sera Monastery is one of the three major monasteries of the Gelug Sect in Lhasa. There are tens of thousands of Vajra Buddha statues in Sera Monastery, mostly made locally in Tibet. In addition, there are a large number of cultural relics, Buddha statues, Thangkas, scriptures, ritual utensils, and offering utensils, which are extremely precious.

Since ancient times, it has been the place where eminent monks and living Buddhas preach. As another highlight of Sera Monastery, the monks’ debate activities are definitely distinctive. The debate is a discussion of Buddhist knowledge and a way of learning for monks. The monks' debate in Sera Monastery is a daily Buddhist activity except for Sundays.

Location: 60 km from Downtown Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 3,800M
Admission: 40 RMB
Opening hours: 09:00~16:00
 

Built-in 1409, Ganden Monastery is one of the “three major monasteries” in Lhasa and ranks the first among the six largest monasteries of Gelugpa. The frescoes and sculptures of the Gandan Monastery are exquisite, and they also contain rich and precious historical relics. The monastery is composed of more than 50 buildings and can accommodate 3300 monks chanting at the same time.

Apart from its magnificent architecture and religious importance, there is a fabulous view on top of the Ganden Wangpo Hill. Travelers can take a kora hike around the monastery to have a bird-eye view of the Kichu valley. Ganden is also the start point of the famous trek to Samye, and the trek's highlights include lakes, beautiful alpine forests, meadows, and Tibetan religious culture. 

Location: Zharang County, Shannan Prefecture, Southeast Tibet
Altitude: 3,600M
Admission: Entry free, Utse Hall CN¥40
Opening hours: 09:00~16:00
 

Samye Monastery is the first true Buddhist monastery in Tibet, and also the first monastery in Tibet featuring Buddhists, laws, and monks. It lies on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo River of Zharang County and about 38 kilometers from Tsedang. Samye Monastery's construction began in 762 AD and was completed in 779 AD. The layout of the entire monastery is designed according to the structural layout of the "The Boundless Universe" in the Buddhist scriptures, and also according to the tantra mandala. The central hall has three styles of Tibetan, Chinese, and Indian, hence, Samye Monastery is also called the Three-style Monastery.

Within the round "Iron Surround Hill" wall of the Samye Monastery is the secular world where all living beings are located. Many pagodas and halls can be visited at will. The only place to sell tickets is the main hall - Utse Hall, the local people call it "World Center". The religious festivals and religious dances of Samye Monastery are very ancient. Held over 2 or 3 days from the full moon (15th day) of the fifth lunar month, the main events here are elaborated ritual ceremonies and cham dancing.

Location: Tingri Town, Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 4,900M
Admission: CN¥35
Opening hours: 09:00~16:00
 

Rongbuk is the highest monastery in Tibet, which is located at the end of Rongbuk Glacier on the northern foot of Mount Everest. It was established in 1902 by a Nyingmapa Lama. There were once 500 monks and nuns living here. At Rongbuk Monastery, the nuns and monks use the same prayer hall but have separate residences. 

There are 8 subsidiary monasteries under the main monastery of the Rongbuk Monastery, including a nun temple. Rongbuk Monastery is about 20 kilometers away from the summit of Mount Everest, hence, it has become a base camp for climbing Mount Everest from the northern slope. Basically the tourists who come here are for Mt. Everest. Many mountaineering experts believe that the location of the Rongbuk Monastery is the best place to view Mount Everest. 

Location: Gyangze Town, Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 3,900M
Admission: CN¥60 (Incl. Kumbum)
Opening hours: 09:00~19:00

Pelkor Chode Monastery is located in Gyangze Town, it is surrounded by mountains on the south, north, and east sides, and water on all sides. It is about 230 kilometers south of Lhasa and more than 100 kilometers east of Shigatse. It is a monastery where Tibetan Buddhism Sakya, Shalu, and Gelug sects coexist.

Pelkor Chode Monastery was built in 1427 and took 10 years to complete. It is a typical Tibetan Buddhist monastery building combined with a temple in the tower and a pagoda in the temple. The temple towers are naturally integrated and complement each other. Its architecture fully represents the typical style of temple architecture in the later Tibetan area from the end of the 13th century to the middle of the 15th century.

Location: Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 4,000M
Admission: CN¥100
Opening hours: 09:00~17:00

Tashilhunpo Monastery is located in the west of Shigatse City and was built in 1447. It is one of the four major monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism Gelug Sect in Tibet. The monastery was built around the palace wall and the palace wall along the slope meandering. This puts the whole monastery built on the hillside, attached to the mountain. The most magnificent building of the monastery is the Great Maitreya Hall and the Panchen Spiritual Pagoda Hall.

Here lies the most unique exhibition platform of Buddha Thangka than any monastery in Tibet. On the three days around May 15 of the Tibetan calendar every year, a grand Buddha exhibition will be held at Tashilhunpo Monastery. The three large-scale embroidery Buddha statues: Buddha in the past (Dipamkara), the current Buddha (Gautama Buddha, known as Sakyamuni), and the future Buddha (Maitreya, Jampa in Tibetan) will be displayed on the sun-facing wall of the Buddha stand. The monks and religious people will pay homage with the Hada and pray to the Buddha to eliminate disasters and bring good luck to the world.

Location: Sakya Town, Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 4,310M
Admission: CN¥50
Opening hours: 09:00~18:00
 

Skaya monastery lies 130 kilometers (80 miles) southwest of Shigatse and is the central monastery of the Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The walls were painted in red, white, and grey stripes, which represent Manjushri, Avalokiteshvara, and Vajrapani respectively. The first established Northern monastery was founded in 1073, and the fifth Sakya Throne Holder built the Southern monastery in 1268. 

Each year Sakya Monastery hosts a large number of pujas, and the most important of which is the rainy festival every May (Tibetan calendar), the summer ceremony in July, the winter ceremony in November, and Tibetan Cham Dancing. The Cham dance is a Tibetan Buddhist ritual dance performed by monks and accompanied by traditional music instruments. During the performance, the dancers wore Saga protector gods and various spirit beast masks. It uses a simple storyline to reflect the content of killing the devil in the Tibetan Buddhism Tantric Sacred dance.

Location: Doilungdêqên District, Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region
Altitude: 4,300M
Admission: CN¥45
Opening hours: 09:00~14:00
 

Tsurphu Monastery is the main temple of the Karma Kagyu sect and about 70 kilometers away from the western suburbs of Lhasa. The reincarnation system of the living Buddha of Tibetan Buddhism, which attracted the world's attention, was first created here and was later popularized by other Buddism sects in Tibet.

The Tsurphu monastery was built in 1189 and sits north to south, surrounded by mountains on three sides. This large-scale building complex is centered around the main hall, including the Jingtang, Buddhist hall, Dharma hall, Buddhist college, Tantric monastery, living Buddha private residence and monastery. There are a large number of rare cultural relics in the monastery, which is of great historical value for the study of politics, economy, and religion in the Tubo period.

The Tsurphu to Yangpachen trek is an excellent choice for those who want to get close contact with the Tibetan herders and their lifestyle. This popular trek route begins at Tsurphu Monastery, which combines alpine tundra and sweeping mountain panoramas with visits to monasteries and a nunnery, nicely balances cultural and wilderness activities.