Rongbuk Monastery

Rongbuk Monastery: The World's Highest Monastery at 5,154m

Rongbuk Monastery is the world's highest monastery, situated at an elevation of 5,154 meters on the Tibetan Plateau. Rongbuk Monastery is close to the Everest Base Camp in Tibet, just a few hundred meters away. It is on the north face of Mount Everest, only about 25 kilometers from the summit, making it the highest point you can reach.

Rongbuk Monastery, the world's highest monastery, is on the north face of Mount Everest.

History and Legends of Rongbuk Monastery

Rongbuk Monastery was founded by the Nyingmapa Lama Ngawang Tenzin Norbu. It was built on a hillside, where meditation caves had been used by nuns since the 18th century.

Originally constructed in 1899 and rebuilt in 1902, Rongbuk Monastery was once a large-scale structure. There used to be more than a dozen affiliated temples, but most were later destroyed. In 1983, the monastery underwent a large-scale reconstruction. Its halls and the murals inside have been restored.

Rongbuk monastery belongs to the Nyingma sect, the oldest school of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery once housed hundreds of monks and nuns, but now there are only several monks and nuns. It is also the only monastery in Tibet where both monks and nuns live and practice together.

According to legend, Rongbuk Monastery was the place where Padmasambhava practiced more than 1,200 years ago. Padmasambhava was the founder of the Nyingma sect and the person who spread Buddhism throughout Tibet in the 8th century, also known as Guru Rinpoche. It is said he practiced in the ancient meditation cave near Rongbuk Monastery, which is still preserved at the monastery today.

The meditation cave where Padmasambhava practiced more than 1,200 years ago is still preserved at the monastery today.

What to Experience at Rongbuk Monastery

Although Rongbuk Monastery is not as grand as those in Lhasa, it is still worth a visit.

You can experience meditation in the ancient meditation cave at Rongbuk monastery, where you can find the traces left by Guru Rinpoche Padmasambhava. It helps you to reduce stress and find inner peace.

It is also a good chance to explore the daily life of local monks and nuns at Rongbuk Monastery. Here, monks and nuns have separate lodgings but practice and pray together. You'll see them chant Buddhist mantras, meditate, and make offerings.

Besides, you can appreciate the exquisite Nyingma murals and paintings depicting Tibetan Buddhist deities and scenes inside the monastery's halls. These sacred artworks are meant to aid devotees meditate and inspire their spiritual wisdom.

The exquisite Nyingma murals and paintings inside the monastery's halls.

8 Days Lhasa to Everest Base Camp Small Group Tour: Marvel at Mt.Everest Real Close from 4 Different Viewing Platforms

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Shigatse - Lhasa

Price from USD949 p.p

Join our 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour for breathtaking views of Rongbuk Monastery and Mount Everest.

Rongbuk Monastery and Mt. Everest: Best Viewpoint with the White Pagoda

Because of its excellent location, Rongbuk Monastery is one of the 6 best Everest viewpoints in Tibet, offering a unique spiritual atmosphere with the stunning views of the world's highest peak.

There are two top spots at the monastery to photograph Mount Everest: the first one is at the white pagoda in front of Rongbuk Monastery, and the second is on the platform of the small hill behind it.

Rongbuk monastery and its large white pagoda create a sacred and amazing scene, with Mount Everest soaring high in the background. On sunny days, you may meet the marvelous flag clouds around the massive mountain and the golden summit at sunrise or sunset.

Rongbuk Monastery is one of the best viewpoints of Mount Everest.

Best Time to Visit Rongbuk Monastery: All Year Round Except July and August

The best time to visit Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery is from April to early June and September to October, with the clearest views of Mount Everest. During these periods, the weather around Rongbuk Monastery is relatively mild and calm, with daytime temperatures often reaching above 10°C. With little rainfall, clear skies, and fewer clouds, it's ideal to appreciate the grandeur of Mount Everest and its stunning golden peak under sunrise or sunse.

It is also possible to visit Rongbuk Monastery in winter. In the daytime, with constant sunshine, the temperature often stays above 0°C and sometimes even reach 10°C, so it doesn't feel too cold. At night, although the temperature drops below 0°C, Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse has underfloor heating. You can also descend to stay in Tashi Dzom Township, where the lower altitude and better hotel heating make it warmer than at Everest Base Camp.

You can also visit Rongbuk Monastery in summer, although it is not an ideal time for clear views of Mount Everest, since its peak is easily shrouded in mist and clouds due to more rainfall.

However, the rainfall does not affect visits to Rongbuk Monastery, as the summer showers are usually brief and occur in the afternoon or at night. Your trip will not be affected as long as you bring rain gear. Meanwhile, you’ll feel warmer and more comfortable with daytime temperatures reaching 20°C in July and August.

Weather Information of Rongbuk Monastery

Our guests visit Rongbuk Monastery in October and enjoy a clear view of Mount Everest.

How to Get to Rongbuk Monastery

The most recommended way to reach Rongbuk Monastery is by by overland travel from Lhasa. Rongbuk Monastery is next to Everest Base Camp, so joining an Everest Base Camp tour can bring you to this monastery.

The most popular itinerary to Rongbuk Monastery is our 8-day Lhasa to Everest Base Camp tour. This tour invites you to travel along G318 National Highway, one of the most scenic routes in the world. Starting from Lhasa, you'll visit downtown Lhasa, Yamdrok Lake, Shigatse, Everest Base Camp, and Rongbuk Monastery all in one journey, having an adventure of a lifetime.

You can also visit Rongbuk Monastery along this route by bike or motorcycle. Our Lhasa to Everest Base Camp cycling tour invites you to ride along G318 and enjoy the best scenery of Tibet.

In addition, the classic Tingri to Everest Base Camp trekking tour also takes you to Everest Base Camp and Rongbuk Monastery, allowing you to enjoy the highlights along the route from Lhasa to Shigatse.

7 Days Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland Small Group Tour: Traverse from the North Side to the South Side of Mt.Everest for the Best of the Himalayas

Tour Route: Lhasa - Gyantse - Shigatse - Everest Base Camp - Gyirong - Kathmandu

Price from USD989 p.p

Our 7-day Lhasa to Kathmandu Overland tour can also take you to Rongbuk Monastery.

Where to Stay and What to Eat at Rongbuk Monastery

Although Rongbuk monastery sits at a high altitude, there are still some accommodation and dining options available. As it is close to Everest Base Camp, the lodging options here are similar to accommodations around Everest Base Camp.

The closest place to stay is Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse, a small lodge right across from the monastery. It has recently been renovated, offering double rooms (with private bathrooms) and triple rooms (with shared bathrooms). All its rooms provide hot water, underfloor heating, Wi-Fi, a humidifier, and oxygen supplies.

Its restaurant is also renovated, where you can enjoy Tibetan food, Tibetan tea, hot pot with yak beef and vegetables, and basic breakfasts such as warm porridge. They are simple but perfect for you to restore energy.

The Everest Tent hotel at Everest Base Camp is also a popular option. They are run by local Tibetans, close to Rongbuk Monastery. With an air-conditioner in its living room, each tent offers single rooms, double rooms, and triple rooms, equipped with hot water, a humidifier, an electric blanket, and Wi-Fi. The hotel provides public toilets, which are much cleaner than before with the recent renovations.

It now has a new restaurant tent, where you can enjoy yak beef hot pot and simple dishes such as hot noodle soup and fried rice. Most visitors choose to stay at Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse and the Everest tent hotel.

Basong Village and Tashi Dzom Township are the nearest settlements to Rongbuk Monastery. Basong is closer, while Tashi Dzom Township sits at a lower altitude. If you prefer to stay at a lower elevation to help avoid altitude sickness, Basong and Tashi Dzom are good options.

There are some restaurants serving traditional Tibetan dishes and other cuisines in these villages. Since the monastery is close to Everest Base Camp, you can also find some of the best restaurants around EBC along the way.

Rongbuk Monastery Guesthouse has recently been renovated.

Practical Tips for Visiting Rongbuk Monastery

As Rongbuk Monastery is located at a high elevation, it's better to avoid strenuous exercise to prevent altitude sickness and bring some medicines or portable oxygen tanks if needed.

Rongbuk Monastery experiences low temperatures and strong winds. Make sure to bring warm and windproof clothing with you.

The UV rays are particularly strong at high altitudes, so you should bring sunglasses, a hat, and high-SPF sunscreen.

It is necessary to protect the environment of Rongbuk Monastery and Mount Everest. Remember to take away the trash when you leave.

Avoid touching the statues or murals and keep quiet when you visit the monastery.