Chamdo was visited by Tsongkhapa in 1373, who suggested that a monastery should be built there. Galden Jampaling Monastery was constructed between 1436 and 1444 by a disciple of Tsongkhapa, Jansem Sherab Zangpo. It contained 5 main temples and housed about 2,500 monks. In accordance with its tradition, there were 3,000 monks when establishing this monastery, and some more than 2,000 at the beginning of the 19th century. However, it was destroyed in 1912 but the main hall, which was used as a prison, and 2 other buildings survived. Later, this monastery was rebuilt in 1917, housing about 800 monks.

Galden Jampaling Monastery is located on a high mesa where Ongqu and Zhaqu Rivers meet and merge into the famous Lancang River in Chamdo Town. It houses the Gelug Sect which belongs to Tibetan Buddhism. It is also the biggest monastery of the Gelug Sect in the Kham area (the primary monastery of the Gelug Sect is Ganden Monastery), with the Main Assembly Hall, the Guardian Hall, the Tara Hall, the Sutra Debating Hall, and 12 schools.

The Main Assembly Hall is extremely impressive, especially when it is full of hundreds of monks. The glorious inner sanctum is dominated by Sakyamuni, Tsongkhapa, and Atisha. The statue second to the left is the Pakhpala. The statue is the the founder of Galden Jampaling Monastery.

Hundreds of Buddhist figures and sculptures of hierarchs, wonderful murals, and Thangkas in this monastery are also worth visiting. All of them show the exquisite craftsmanship of the artists in Chamdo.

The most celebrated feature here is the Holy Dance, only performed during the Butter Lamp Festival, which celebrates the victory of Sakyamuni against the heretics in a debate. This festival falls on Jan. 15th of the Tibetan calendar. Monks will wear masks and perform religious dances to exorcise the ghosts and pray for a good harvest year.

Tips of Galden Jampaling Monastery

1. It’s okay to take pictures of monks in this monastery if you get permission.

2. Standing on the platform of Galden Jampaling Monastery, you can see Ongqu and Zhaqu Rivers merging into one.