Tsanden Monastery

Location: Yaladuo Hill, Nagchu Prefecture
Opening Hours: 9:00-18:00
Admission Fee: None
How to Get There: Tsanden Monastery is beside National Highway 317 in Suo County. You can see it when you drive on National Highway 317.
Best Time to Visit: Every May, July, and December on the Tibetan calendar, a grand ceremony will be held in Tsanden Monastery. You can come here in this period.

About Tsanden Monastery

Tsanden Monastery in northern Tibet was built at the top of Yaladuo Hill of the Nagchu area of north Tibet in 1668 as an affiliated temple of Drepung Monastery in Lhasa. It looks like the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa from far away, so Tsanden Monastery is also known as “small Potala”.

It was said that the temple was planned to be built as the Potala, but some blueprints were lost on the way back to Yala Village which is just located on the west side of the Yaladuo Hill and is said to be the hometown of the wife of King Gesar. Thus, the Tsanden Monastery does not look exactly like the Potala Palace.

The Tsanden Monastery covers an area of 25,975 square meters and comprises a white palace and a red palace. The red palace in the middle is used for housing Buddhas and holding religious activities. The white palace on the two sides and the back side is the lamas’ living area. There are many figures of Buddhas, murals, scriptures, and other valuable cultural relics and artworks.

Every May, July, and December on the Tibetan calendar, this monastery would hold some important religious activities. During this period, local Tibetans and monks from other temples would come to the Tsanden Monastery to enjoy the ceremonies.

Tips of Tsanden Monastery

1. Like the Potala Palace, it also has the White Palace and Red Palace.

2. The frescoes, statues, and sutras in Tsanden Monastery are of great importance.

Recommended Tour Itineraries including Tsanden Monastery

You can have a glimpse into the rich spiritual heritage and cultural traditions in Tsanden Monastery. Check the top 4 highly recommended Tibet tours that include Tsanden Monastery.