As you travel in Tibet, apart from the holy Tibetan monasteries, you may come across white Tibetan stupas of different shapes and sizes, often surrounded by Tibetan prayer flags, worshiping local pilgrims, and mani stones.

So, what are these Tibetan stupas used for? What is inside a Tibetan stupa? What Is it made of? In this post, we offer you a complete guide to Tibetan stupas with the best places to enjoy Tibetan stupas when traveling in Tibet.

What Is a Tibetan Stupa? A Holy Buddhist Monument for Worship

A Tibetan stupa, also known as “Chorten” in Tibetan, refers to a sacred Buddhist monument (mostly in white color) built to store Buddhist scriptures, relics, and remains of Tibetan masters in Tibet.

Often found near or inside Tibetan monasteries, a Tibetan stupa is believed to be a holy Buddhist structure that stands for the wisdom and compassion of the Buddha. Due to its holiness, you can see local Tibetans walking the kora (pilgrimage) around Tibetan stupas while chanting Buddhist mantras and spinning hand-held prayer wheels to get blessings and merit.

Local Tibetans walking around Tibetan stupas in Tashilunpo Monastery.

The tradition of building Tibetan stupas can be traced back to the 7th century when Buddhism spread from India and inland China to Tibet and gradually took root in Tibet.

From the 10th to 15th century, when the great masters of various schools of Tibetan Buddhism passed away, by tradition, a memorial Tibetan stupa was built in their honor. From then on, Tibetan Buddhist stupas are found all over Tibet. Besides, aside from memorial purposes, Tibetan stupas were also made to suppress evil spirits and pray for peace in the local area.

How Is a Tibetan Stupa Built and Its Symbolic Meanings?

A typical Tibetan stupa consists of four parts from the bottom to the top: the square base, hemispherical dome, conical spire, and parasol adorned with sun and moon. Here are the symbolic meanings of the four levels of a Tibetan stupa:

Base signifies the element of earth, the stability that supports all life.
Dome represents the element of water or being open-minded.
Spire symbolizes the element of fire, rising towards enlightenment.
Parasol with the sun and moon indicates the elements of wind and the highest form of spiritual realization—"emptiness”, which doesn’t mean nothingness here, but reminds us that everything is interconnected and nothing is permanent.

What a typical Tibetan stupa looks like.

Building a Tibetan stupa is a sacred process, often guided by eminent monks. Tibetan monks and local artisans will work together to finish the construction. Inside the Tibetan stupa, relics of Tibetan masters, holy Buddhist scriptures, and other sacred objects are enshrined. Once completed, it’s consecrated in a ceremony to bless the stupa.

Additionally, Tibetan stupas are made of different materials such as gold, silver, copper, gilded metals, brass, concrete, clay, and more. The higher the rank of the deceased Tibetan monks, the more precious the materials used for their stupas.

How Many Types of Tibetan Stupas in Tibet? There Are 8 Unique Tibetan Stupas

Tibetan stupas fall into eight categories, known as the "Eight Great Stupas of Enlightenment" and each symbolizes the various phases of Buddha’s life as follows:

Stupa of Heaped Lotuses: This stupa celebrates the Buddha’s birth. Its shape looks like a beautiful lotus flower, symbolizing the purity of life.

Stupa of Enlightenment: This stupa marks the moment when Buddha became enlightened at 35 years old under the Bodhi tree. It’s taller, showing the great wisdom and understanding Buddha gained.

Stupa of Many Doors: It stands for Buddha teaching the world after enlightenment. Its many doorways represent the different paths and lessons Buddha shared.

Stupa of Descent from the God Realm: This chorten reminds us of the time when Buddha came back to Earth after teaching in the heavens. This type of stupa features a central section with three steps or small ladders built into it.

Stupa of Great Miracles: Buddha performed miracles to inspire people’s faith. This stupa’s structure is more elaborate, showing the power of belief. It teaches us that miracles can happen when we have faith and determination.

Stupa of Reconciliation: Also known as the stupa of harmony, it marks the moment when the Buddha resolved a dispute among his followers and restored peace. This stupa has four octahedron levels with even steps.

Stupa of Complete Victory: It symbolizes that Shakyamuni empowered himself to extend three more months of longevity in the man’s world. The stupa of three circular levels was built to honor his success in beating Monster Death. Learn the top 9 Tibetan demons & deities.

Stupa of Nirvana: This final stupa represents Buddha’s passing into Nirvana. It peacefully embraces the end of life and shows how everything must come to an end.

Eight types of Tibetan stupas you may find in Tibet.

What Are the Best Places to Explore Tibetan Stupas in Tibet?

Exploring diverse Tibetan stupas is one of the essential Tibet travel experiences for global travelers. As the largest local Tibet travel agency, serving 8,000+ worldwide tourists to Tibet annually, we share you with the best places to worship Tibetan stupas across Tibet.

Golden Stupas of Dalai Lamas in Potala Palace (Lhasa)

As the symbol of Tibet, the Potala Palace used to be the home of generations of Dalai Lamas, the highest spiritual leader of Tibet. Inside the Red Palace of Potala Palace lie the golden stupas of the fifth to thirteenth Dalai Lamas (except for the sixth Dalai Lama).

Among them, the most amazing one is the golden stupa of the Fifth Dalai Lama made of 3,721kg of pure gold with a 14.85m height. The surface of this golden Tibetan stupa was adorned with nearly 20,000 precious jewels, highlighting its revered place in Tibetan’s mind.

The magnificent golden stupa of the fifth Dalai Lama in Potala Palace.

Other than that, you can head to the Chagpori, to the south of Potala Palace, and take selfies with auspicious white Tibetan stupas and Potala Palace on its mid-hill viewing platform. Learn more about Potala Palace.

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White, Red, Black, and Green Tibetan Stupas in Samye Monastery (Shannan)

Around 122km southeast of Lhasa sits the Samye Monastery, the first Tibetan monastery founded by King Trisong Detsen in 775 in Shannan Prefecture. Inside this Tibetan, Han, and Nepali-style Tibetan monastery are four unique Tibetan stupas in white, red, black, and green colors, built to the four corners of Ütse, the main hall of Samye Monastery.

The unique white, red, black, and green Tibetan stupas in Samye Monastery.

These four Tibetan chortens symbolize the four guardians of the Buddha who protect against evil spirits and natural disasters. Highly recommended for your visit, together with the Ütse hall.

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Nepali-style Gyantse Kumbum Stupa (Gyantse)

Gyantse Kumbum lies in the enchanting Gyantse County, halfway between Lhasa to Shigatse. As the major attraction in Gyantse, this 32m-high or 7-story stupa has a distinct Nepali style with Buddha’s wise eyes on four sides and white layers trimmed with decorative stripes and a crown-like golden dome.

The stunning Gyantse Kunbum stupa.

Unlike other Tibetan stupas, you can go inside the Gyantse Kumbum stupa and follow countless small chapels from the first floor to the sixth floor for the panorama of the Gyantse fortress from afar. The tons of exquisite murals and Buddhist statues will blow your mind away.

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Golden Stupas of Panchen Lamas in Tashilunpo Monastery (Shigatse)

As the second-largest city in Tibet next to Lhasa, Shigatse is home to Panchen Lamas (the great scholar) in Tibetan Buddhism.

Inside Tashlunpo Monastery, you can explore the stupas of generations of Panchen Lamas, amid which the gold-plated stupa of the 10th Panchen Lama, made of 614kg of gold and 275kg of silver has the largest scale. Besides, you can also follow local pilgrims to walk the kora around the white Tibetan stupas inside the massive Tashilunpo Monastery.

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White Stupa of Rongbuk Monastery at Everest Base Camp (Shigatse)

For travelers who aim to closely admire Mt. Everest (8848.86m) at Everest Base Camp in Tingri County, Shigatse, don’t miss out on the chance to explore the world’s highest monastery--Rongbuk Monastery (5,154m) and take photos of Mt. Everest using Rongbuk Monastery’s auspicious white stupa and fluttering Tibetan prayer flags as the foreground. The unobstructed north face of Mt. Everest will leave you in awe.

Travelers taking photos with Mt. Everest and the white stupa of Rongbuk Monastery.

The popular and classic tour to enjoy this epic journey is the 8-day Lhasa to EBC small group tour with our expert local guides and local drivers and attentive services like oxygen supplies along the way.

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Holy Stupas along Mt. Kailash Kora Route (Ngari)

As the holiest mountain in Tibet, the holy Mt. Kailash is the center of pilgrimage for both local Tibetans and global travelers. On day one of the 3-day strenuous trek around Mt. Kailash, you will pass the two-legged chorten Kangnyi and a group of white stupas before Dirapuk Monastery, the best place to view the north face of Mt. Kailash.

Travels take photos with two-legged chorten Kangnyi during Mt. Kailash kora.

The “ two-legged” Chorten Kangnyi is located at the Tibetan Prayer Flag Square in Lha-chu Valley. You can walk through this colorful “two-legged” stupa, which brings you blessings for Mt. Kailash kora. It’s also the place where the Tarboche flagpole is raised to celebrate the Saga Dawa festival. Learn more about Tibetan festivals.

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Taboos and Etiquettes When Visiting Tibetan Stupas as a Traveler

As a traveler, certain taboos and etiquettes need to be followed as you visit the holy Tibetan Buddhist stupas.

Firstly, always walk clockwise around the Tibetan stupa. This is called Tibetan kora, an important spiritual practice. Walking counterclockwise is seen as disrespectful.

Besides, Tibetan stupas are holy Buddhist structures. Never climb or sit on the stupa.

Not all the Tibetan stupas are allowed to enter and take photos, always ask for your guide’s advice if you are unsure about it.

Additionally, to show your respect, you may take off your hat and sunglasses when worshipping the stupa and lower your voice so as not to disturb other pilgrims. Finally, dress modestly when visiting sacred Tibetan stupas.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, A Tibetan stupa or chorten is a sacred Buddhist building that symbolizes the Buddha’s mind and the path to enlightenment. Other than that, Tibet has more to explore regarding rich Tibetan Buddhist culture, history, and stunning Himalayan landscapes. If you have more questions, don’t hesitate to email us for free and expert travel advice. Looking forward to traveling with you in Tibet. Tashi Delek!