Touted as the last Shambala in the world, Tibet draws numerous global travelers to embark on an adventure on the towering Tibetan plateau every year. They come not only for incredible Himalayan peaks but also to soak up the unique vibes of Tibetan monasteries and explore the profound Buddhist culture and history behind.

Founded by Tibetan master Tsongkhapa in 1409, Gelugpa is the largest and most influential school of Tibetan Buddhism with extensive Gelugpa monasteries across Tibet. In this travel guide, we will walk you through the top 6 Gelugpa Monasteries in Tibet. So, you can better plan your Tibet monastery tour and embrace the enigmatic Tibetan culture.

Why Visit Gelugpa Monasteries in Tibet? Newest, Largest, and Most Influential School of Tibetan Buddhism

By the 7th century, Buddhism first spread from India (Tantrism) and inland China (Mahayana) to Tibet, which used to be called Tubo. The fresh Buddhist idea had a rough landing in Tibet where the primitive and native Bon religion already ruled over.

Through over 100 years of struggle and integration, Buddhism finally triumphed over the Bon religion, becoming the unique Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet. In the late 8th century, the first Tibetan monastery—Samye Monastery (Nyingma sect) was built by Indian gurus Śāntarakṣita and Guru Rinpoche in Shannan Prefecture, Tibet.

From the 11th century onward, the development of Tibetan Buddhism was in full swing. It was not until the mid-15th century that all four major schools of Tibetan Buddhism eventually took shape, i.e. Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug.

Historically, the Gelugpa (or Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism) is the newest school of Tibetan Buddhism founded by the Tibetan master Tsongkhapa in 1409, the same year he built the first Gelugpa monastery—Ganden Monastery in Lhasa’s eastern suburbs.

The statue of the beloved Tibetan master Tsongkhapa.

As Tibetan spiritual leaders like Dalai Lama, and Panchen Lama, and massive local Tibetans have identified themselves with the Gelugpa school known as “Yellow Hat” and even other schools of Tibetan Buddhism like Kadam School converted itself to Gelugpa, Gelugpa monasteries have grown into the most accepted, largest, and most influential Tibetan monasteries in and beyond Tibet. So, for first-timers to Tibet, Gelugpa monasteries are a must-visit for your Tibet tour.

Ganden Monastery is the first Gelugpa Monastery founded by Tsongkhapa in Tibet.

Ganden Monastery: the First Gelugpa Monastery and the Birthplace of Gelugpa

Situated 50km northeast of Lhasa City on Wangbur Mountain, the Ganden Monastery is the first Gelugpa monastery in Tibet, built in 1409 by Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa school of Tibetan Buddhism through the “religious reform”. It’s also where Tsongkhapa passed away.

Ganden Monastery, together with Drepung and Sera Monasteries, is often revered as one of the “Great Three Geglupa Monasteries” in Lhasa. With an altitude of 4,300m, Ganden Monastery is like a “Sky City” offering you a sweeping view of the surrounding Lhasa Valley unlike anywhere you’ve seen in downtown Lhasa.

5 Days Lhasa Small Group Tour with Three Major Monasteries

Tour Route: Lhasa - Drak Yerpa - Ganden - Lhasa

Price from USD599 p.p

Inside the Ganden Monastery, you can see images of Tsongkhapa and his first two disciples, Kedrub Je, and Gyaltsab Je, who contributed to the founding of Gelugpa School. You can add yak butter as an offering to worship the gold tomb of Tsongkhapa and visit Tsongkhapa's living room or meditate in his meditation cave.

Another highlight you can’t afford to miss out on is experiencing the scenic Ganden kora (pilgrimage) with locals circumambulating the Ganden Monastery and feasting your eyes with a commanding view of Lhasa Valley.

Stunning view of Lhasa Valley during Ganden Kora.

Though Ganden Monastery is an all-year-round destination, Saga Dawa Festival (May/June), Ganden Festival (around July), and Tsongkhapa Butter Lamp Festival (Dec) are three of the best times to see the display of the giant Thangkas, holy relics, cham dances and butter lighting events in Ganden. Discover all Tibetan festivals in Tibet.

5 Days Gaden Ngachen Chenmo Festival Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

Drepung Monastery: the Largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet

Founded by Jamyang Chöjem, the disciple of Tsongkhapa in 1416, Drepung Monastery (3,800km) is the largest Gelugpa Monastery in Tibet, designed to accommodate up to 7,700 monks during its heyday. It’s a huge monastic city or Buddhist university situated 17km from the western suburbs of Lhasa City.

As you enter Drepung Monastery (rice heap in Tibetan), you can see tremendous rocks, depicting the image of Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa School, and Tibetan mantras like “om mani padme hum”. You can taste the holy spring flowing through Drepung Monastery or enjoy the scenic kora with the locals in Drepung.

Huge rocks, depicting the image of the Tsongkhapa in Drepung Monatery.

Loseling College is the large college in Drepung Monastery, you can take a glimpse of the monastic life of Tibetan monks or explore the dorm and huge kitchen of Drepung Monastery.

On top of that, Drepung Monastery is widely known as the best place to watch the unveiling of the giant Thangka during the joyous Shoton Festival in August. You can taste sweet Tibetan Yogurt and watch the Thangka display in Drepung before heading to Norbulingka to enjoy Tibetan opera.

5 Days Shoton Festival Experience Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD p.p

Sera Monastery: Best Place to Watch Gelugpa Monk Debate and Sand Mandala

6km north of downtown Lhasa lies Sera Monastery at the foot of Sera Ütse Mountain, one of three prestigious Gelugpa Monasteries in Lhasa. Founded by Tsongkhapa’s disciple Sakya Yeshe in 1419, Sera Monastery was built to host up to 5,500 monks, only next to Drepung Monastery.

Today, for travelers, the main draw of Sera Monastery is to watch the vibrant Tibetan monk debate at the debating courtyard between 15:00 - 17:00 (except Sunday). It’s a unique way for Tibetan monks to express their understanding of Buddhist doctrines. With one standing monk clapping his hands, yelling, and jumping to ask a question to the other monk sitting on the ground, the defender will use logic to explain his points.

Dramatic Tibetan monk debate in Sera Monastery.

Apart from that, in Sera Monastery, you can explore the Main Assembly Hall to see the exquisite thangkas and the two-story statue of Jampa or meditate there. You may also visit Sera Me College, Sera Ngagpa College, and Sera Je College, three of the main Buddhist colleges in Sera Monastery.

BTW, don’t miss out on the Printing Press and exquisitely-made Sand Mandalas, an artistic expression of Buddhist cosmology through sand painting.

4 Days Lhasa Impression Small Group Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa

Price from USD509 p.p

Tashilhunpo Monastery: Main Gelugpa Monastery of Panchen Lama in Shigate

As the youngest disciple of Tsongkhapa, Genden Drup founded the Tashilhunpo Monastery in 1447, the largest Gelugpa Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet’s second-largest city.

After the reincarnation system was established in Tibet, Genden Drup was honored as the first Dalai Lama and enshrined in Tashilhunpo Monastery. It was when the fifth Dalai Lama declared his teacher, the abbot of Tashilhunpo, to be a manifestation of Amitabha that Tashilhunpo Monastery became the seat of the Panchen (great scholar) Lamas.

Inside the massive Tashilunpo Monastery covering 70,000 sq meters, you can admire the 26m golden statue of Maitreya Buddha, the world’s largest statue of the Future Buddha, and visit the tombs of the 5th to 10th Panchen Lamas. In the Assembly Hall, you can sit on the cushions for meditation and gaze at long Thangkas, depicting the incarnations of Panchen Lamas, etc.

Gigantic Maitreya Buddha in the prestigious Tashilunpo Monastery in Shigatse.

To the east of the Courtyard stands the gigantic Thangka display wall. During the three-day Tashilhunpo Festival in June, huge crowds will come and see the huge Thangka being unveiled and cham dances performed.

With more time, enjoy the Tashilunpo Kora route that takes you past the giant Thanka wall with an amazing vista of the Shigatse Dzong, which resembles a smaller size of Potala Palace in Shigatse.

8 Days Tashilhunpo Festival Tour

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Tsedang

Price from USD p.p

Ta’er Monastery: the Most Famous Gelugpa Monastery in Qinghai, Close to the Birthplace of Tsongkhapa

Ta’er Monastery, also known as Kumbum Monastery, was celebrated Gelugpa Monastery built in the Qinghai province in 1379 to honor the Tsongkhapa, the founder of Gelugpa School.

It is a wonderful architectural complex and is one of the main sources propagating the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It contains about 9,300 structures it, including the prayer hall, the scripture halls, Lama’s residence, and others. The ridges of the grooves of the roof are decorated very nicely with authentic aspects like the gold deer and the treasure bottles. The monastery itself is a visual delight.

Ta'er Monastery, a renowned Gelugpa Monastery in Qinghai.

The festivals associated with Ta’er Monastery are the Prayer Wheel Festival, the Lamp Festival, the Shoton Festival, and others. Likewise, this monastery is open for visits for all seasons, particularly the summer and autumn seasons. You can visit Ta’er Monastery in Xining before boarding the Tibet train to Lhasa.

11 Days Chengdu to Tibet Train Group Tour with Mt.Everest

Tour Route: Chengdu - Xining - Qinghai Tibet Railway - Lhasa - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa - Chengdu

Price from USD1790 p.p

Labrang Monastery: Prestigious Gelugpa Monastery founded by Living Buddha in Gansu Province

Beyond the Tibet Autonomous Region, Labrang Monastery is another reputable Gelugpa Monastery in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture.

The Labrang monastery was founded by Jamyang Shêpa, Ngawang Tsondru in 1709. It has eventually become the home of thousands of monks in the Ganan Tibetan-inhabited region. The architectural feature of this monastery is one of the many attractive features. Its roof includes a beautiful blend of the Tibetan and Indian Vihara architectural styles.

It also contains a Buddhist museum with many Buddhist scriptures and murals. Not only that, it also contains books of history which are saleable along with medicines and calendars. There is a huge gold-painted Buddha statue in the monastery, about 50 feet high. Not only that the monastery serves to be an important location for cultural and aesthetic values.

The most important festival here is the Labrang Thangka festival. A huge Thangka is carried which the people want to touch to have a blessed life ahead. February, March, and June are some of the best times for the visit.

The tremendous Labrang Monastery is one of the great six Gelugpa monasteries.

More Insider Tips for Visiting Gelugpa Monasteries in Tibet

Except for visiting Ta’er Monasteries and Labrang Monastery in Xining and Gannan, for overseas travelers visiting the top four Gelugpa Monasteries in Lhasa and Shigatse of the Tibet Autonomous Region, you have to travel via a guided tour with a local Tibetan travel agency like us.

You need to apply for your Chinese Tourist Visa first and email the image of your passport information page and Chinese Visa page to us, with which we can help you apply for Tibet Travel Permit for free to board the flight or train to Lhasa.

A sample of Tibet Travel Permit.

As the largest local Tibet Travel agency since 1984, with offices in Lhasa, Kathmandu, and Chengdu, we offer you one-stop Tibet travel services, diverse Tibet tours like budget-friendly Tibet small group tours, Tibet monastery tours, Tibet spiritual tours, etc., and 20+ years of local Tibetan travel experts. Their deep knowledge of Tibetan Buddhism will help you unravel Tibetan culture and history as you explore Gelugpa Monasteries and avoid religious taboos in Tibet.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, Ganden, Drepung, Sera, Tashilunpo, Ta’er, and Labrang are the great six Gelugpa Monasteries in Tibet and worth your visit if you plan to learn the most accepted and most influential Gelugpa Schoof of Tibetan Buddhism in Tibet. If you have more questions about visiting Tibet, don’t hesitate to email us for free travel solutions. Cheers!