It is the head monastery of the Drigungpa school of the Kagyupa order. It was first establishedd in 1167. Right now there are 270 monks at Drigung Til.
Drigung Til sprouts from a high, steep ridge overlooking the Drigung Valley. A steep thread of a path makes its way up into the monastic complex, although there is also vehicle access from the eastern end of the valley. The 180-degree views from the main courtyard are impressive and a serene stillness pervades the site.
The monastery kora heads up the hill to the main durtro. This is the holiest sky-burial site in the Lhasa region- people travel hundreds of kilometres to bring their deceased relatives here. Sometimes it's possible to observe a sky burial, but it is absolutely essential that you gain permission from both the family of the deceased and the senior lama who conducts the ceremony.
