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Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse, Tibet

Sitting on the southern slope of Nyiseri Mountain in the west of Shigatse City, Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in 1447 by Gedun Drupa, the first Dalai Lama, is the largest monastery in Tsang Area as well as the traditional seat of successive Panchen Lamas, Tibet's second highest incarnation. Meanwhile, it is also one of the Great Six Gelugpa Monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism (another five are Drepung Monastery, Sera Monastery, Ganden Monastery, Kumbum Monastery, and Labrang Monastery).

The highlights for visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery involve exploring unique architectures and historic sites, like Coqen Hall, Chapel of Jampa, 4 Great Dratsangs, 56 Sutra Halls and 64 Kamcuns, etc.; walking the scenic kora around Tashilhunpo with sincere pilgrims to enjoy the stunning vista of the monastery itself and Shigatse City, even Shigatse Dzong (Samdruptse Dzong or small Potala Palace) in far distance; visiting ancient tombs of the fourth and tenth Panchen Lama and the dazzling chortens, which hold the bones and remains of the sacred lamas of Tibet; observing Tashilhunpo Buddhist debate and scripture chanting to get a hint of Tibetan Buddhism and local monk lifestyle. If possible, you can time your trip with 3-day Tashilhunpo Monastery festival to appreciate the three Giant Thangka Buddha (Amitabha Buddha, Sakyamuni Buddha, Maitreya Buddha) exhibited on the platform.

In a word, here you can explore Tibetan Buddhism, appreciate religious art, and participate in the interesting festivities in just one go. Please follow our in-depth guide below and make the most of Tashilhunpo Monastery tour.

Basic Facts:

Chinese name: 扎什伦布寺Zhāshí Lúnbù Sì

Location: Southern slope of Nyiseri Mountain in the west of Shigatse City; or 5 minutes’ drive from central Shigatse

Altitude: 3,800 m (12,000 ft)

Builder: Gedun Drupa (1447)

Type: the largest Buddhist monastery in Shigatse; one of the Great Four Holy Monasteries of Tibet

Opening Hours & Ticket: 09:00-17:00; 100CNY/person (May to Oct.), 55CNY/Person (Nov. to Apr.)

How to Get There: You may either hire a private car or choose our clean and safe tour vehicle with seasoned local tour guide and driver. It often takes 5hrs to drive 269km from Lhasa to Tashilhunpo Monastery. Or you can take Tibet train to Shigatse city and then transfer to the monastery.

Tashilhunpo Monastery Photo Gallery

All Articles about Tashilhunpo Monastery

To make sure you can enjoy the best Tashilhunpo Monastery travel experience available, we kindly prepare the latest and most easy-to-use Tashilhunpo Monastery travel and tour guides below for you. From the completest Tashilhunpo Monastery tour highlights to the most hilarious Tashilhunpo Monastery Thangka Festival in Shigatse, etc., you can follow the insider’s tip and won’t miss the single moment when visiting the largest Tibetan monastery in Shigatse.

Tashilhunpo Monastery: never miss these highlights during your visitTashilhunpo Monastery: never miss these highlights during your visit

Founded in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama, the Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Tibet, and the seat of the Panchen Lama, Tibet's second highest incarnation. Located in the city of Shigatse, Tibet’s second city, this important cultural relic protection site is also the largest and one of the main four monasteries of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism. The name, Tashilhunpo, means "Auspicious Sumeru" in Tibetan, and the monastery lies ......

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Tashilhunpo Monastery Thangka Festival: the best religious festival to observe in ShigatseTashilhunpo Monastery Thangka Festival: the best religious festival to observe in Shigatse

One of the most important religious festivals in Tibet is the Tashilhunpo Monastery Festival, which is also known as the Buddha Exhibition Festival. A major festival in which one of the famous giant thangka paintings is unveiled for the devotees in the crowds of people that gather, it is an amazing festival full of awesome sights and sounds, and a great way to learn more about the Tibetan culture. If you have the chance to travel to Tibet during the Tashilhunpo ......

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Recommended Tour Itineraries Including Tashilhunpo Monastery

Longing for delving into authentic culture of central Tibet? Then, here comes Tashi Lhunpo Monastery. It’s the place that offers you the chance to explore the resident of Panchen Lama and take the stunning kora with devout pilgrims. After that, you can travel further to Everest Base Camp, Mount Kailash, and Kathmandu, Nepal. Check the top 4 highly recommended Tibet tours with a short visit to Tashilhunpo Monastery.

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