Five Monasteries around Mount Kailash: Three You Won’t Miss on a Kailash Trek and Two on the Inner Kora
There are five monasteries around Mount Kailash, namely Choku Monastery, Drirapuk Monastery, Zutulpuk Monastery, Selung Monastery, and Gyangzha Monastery. The first three are on the outer kora, the last two are on the inner kora route.
These ancient monasteries, decorated with various kinds of Tibetan religious items, are not only cultural heritages to visit but also places where you can take a break during the 3-day kora around Mount Kailash.
Let’s see where the five Mount Kailash monasteries are and what to expect when you arrive at the monastery.
1. Choku Monastery: the First Monastery to Visit during Kailash Trek
2. Drirapuk Monastery: the First Lodge Point of Kailash Trek
3. Zutulpuk Monastery: the Final Lodge Point of Kailash Trek
4. Selung Monastery: the First Monastery to Meet on Inner Kora
5. Gyangzha Monastery: the Largest Monastery in Mount Kailash Area
1. Choku Monastery: the First Monastery to Visit during Kailash Trek
Choku Monastery (4,875m), also named Nyari Monastery, is the first monastery on the outer circuit of Kailash Kora. It is 8 kilometers away from Darchen, the starting point of the Kailash trek. The road condition in this section is relatively good, with a flat surface and only a slight incline of altitude, so trekking from Darchen to Choku Monastery is not difficult.
Choku Monastery, the first monastery you will meet during your Mount Kailash trek.
Established by the Drigungpa in the 13th century, the monastery was named after Choku Rimpoche, the Buddha of Boundless Light, who was enshrined there. There are three legendary objects of this mysterious Choku Monastery, namely the Choku Statue, the Conch Shell, and the teapot.
It’s said that an invading army attempted to steal those three objects away in the 17th century. However, the gods exert their magic power to stop them successfully. The statue became so heavy that the army couldn’t carry it away and only had to abandon it by the riverside. The conch shell with magic flew back to Choku Monastery automatically. Boiled in the teapot, the tea turned to be blood. The invading army went away empty-handed.
This ancient monastery is now also the first supply point during the Kailash trek. You can take a short break here to drink some water or have a snack to replenish your energy.
2. Drirapuk Monastery: the First Lodge Point of Kailash Trek
Drirapuk Monastery (5,210m) is the place where tourists always spend their first night after trekking the outer kora for an arduous day. Since the original construction was ruined, the existing monastery was reconstructed in 1986.
Not far from the monastery is the guesthouse, which provides simple food and basic accommodation on Kailash Kora. Here, you can not only enjoy the sheer icy north face of Mt.Kailash, but also explore the profound Tibetan Buddhist culture through the precious statues and historical relics stored in the monastery.
The ancient white stupas of Drirapuk Monastery with Mount Kailash in the background.
The trekking distance from Choku Monastery to Drirapuk Monastery is about 12 kilometers. You will hike along the canyon beside a small river. The trekking trail follows the ups and downs of the mountain. Although it is not difficult, it tests your endurance and resilience.
3. Zutulpuk Monastery: the Final Lodge Point of Kailash Trek
Zutulpuk Monastery (4,790m), also known as Dzultripuk Monastery, is the last accommodation point for the kora around Mount Kailash. On the second trekking day, you will trek from Drirapuk Monastery to Zutulpuk Monastery for around 24 kilometers by crossing the highest point, the Dromala Pass at 5,700 meters above sea level. After you arrive at Zutulpuk Monastery successfully, the Kailash trek is almost completed.
The Inner Hall of Zutulpuk Monastery
Located on the eastern side of Mount Kailash, Zutulpuk Monastery was originally built in the 13th century and rebuilt in 1983. In Zutulpuk Monastery, you can see the footprints of Padma Sambhava and Yeshe Tsogyal. The walls are adorned with impressive thangkas depicting the Drigung lineage.
At the center of Zutulpuk Monastery is the Milarepa Meditation case, where you can see the footprint and hand prints of Milarepa. According to legend, Mount Kailash is where Milarepa, a Buddhist, and Naro Bonjoing, a Bon practitioner, had a significant clash. Zutulpuk Monastery stands on one of the places where they met.
Around the monastery, you will see many mani stones with carved and painted prayers. Outside you will also see a large rock. According to the legends, Milarepa placed it there by hand.
The Zutulpuk Monastery Guesthouse for the final night of your Mount Kailash trek accommodation.
Near the monastery are several guesthouses, where you will spend the last night of Kailash Kora. As this is only 14 kilometers away from Darchen, the accommodation conditions of Zutulpuk Monastery are better than Drirapuk Monastery.
4. Selung Monastery: the First Monastery to Meet on Inner Kora
Selung Monastery (5,000m) is the first monastery that you would encounter on the inner circuit of Mount Kailash. Several hundred years ago, it was built as a meditation for the monks.
Trekking west of Mt. Yinjietuo from Selung Monastery to the base of the sacred mountain, you can see a natural swastika formed by large ice cracks on the south face of Mt. Kailash and rock bed traces on the hillside. Further ahead, the 13 Golden Chortens come into view, where relics of the former Gyangdrak administrators were enshrined.
Travel Notice:
Currently, the inner kora of Mount Kailash is closed to tourists, so visiting the Selung Monastery is not possible at this time.
5. Gyangzha Monastery: the Largest Monastery in Mount Kailash Area
Gyangzha Monastery (5,075m) was established in the early 13th century as the first monastery and most important monastery of the inner kora of Mount Kailash. It is a monastery of the Drigung Kagyu sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the largest temple in the Mount Kailash area. The monastery boasts a unique architectural style. Inside, you can find notable murals, relics, and important statues.
Gyangzha Monastery is the oldest and the largest monastery in Mount Kailash area.
Before arriving at Gyangzha monastery, you need to trace down from the east face of Mt.Yinietuo, back to Selung Monastery, and move east towards the 5300-meter-high pass.
Travel Notice:
At present, the inner kora of Mount Kailash is closed to tourists, which means access to the Gyangzha Monastery is also unavailable.
6. More Insider Tips for Visiting Mount Kailash Monasteries
The monasteries around Mount Kailash are often supply points during the Kailash trek, where you can take a break. Also, there may be tent tea houses or guesthouses near the monasteries.
Mount Kailash is the center of many religions and these monasteries around Kailash mountain may belong to different religious sects. So please respect each monastery while visiting.
These monasteries, located on different sides of Mount Kailash, offer unique views of the sacred mountain. Please make sure your cell phones and cameras have power so you can take stunning photos of the sacred Mount Kailash with ancient monasteries.
Unfortunately, Mount Kailash inner kora is currently closed to tourists, so Selung Monastery and Gyangzha Monastery are not accessible at this time.
Conclusion
There are five important monasteries around Mount Kailash, which are not only holy sites for pilgrims but also supply points for ordinary treks around Mount Kailash. Following the kora circuit, you will visit Choku Monastery, Drirapuk Monastery, and Zutulpuk Monastery and appreciate different views of Mount Kailash from the west side to the southeast.
If you have any further questions about visiting Mount Kailash or need help arranging a Mount Kailash tour, feel free to contact us for quick and professional assistance from our local travel experts.
Well, who doesn’t like a welcoming and versatile Tibetan guide who travels with you and captures your precious Tibet travel moments professionally? Mr. Keldor, our expert Tibetan guide and a pro photographer, is your best bet.
Additionally, Keldor is fluent in English, German, Mandarin, and Tibetan, and his extensive knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism and local customs equips him to handle diverse tour groups in Tibet with ease. Here, enjoy Keldor’s pro travel tips to get fully prepared for your Tibet tour.
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1. Choku Monastery: the First Monastery to Visit during Kailash Trek
2. Drirapuk Monastery: the First Lodge Point of Kailash Trek
3. Zutulpuk Monastery: the Final Lodge Point of Kailash Trek
4. Selung Monastery: the First Monastery to Meet on Inner Kora
5. Gyangzha Monastery: the Largest Monastery in Mount Kailash Area