Tashilhunpo Monastery 扎什伦布寺Zhāshílúnbù Sì

Why go to Tashilhunpo Monastery

Tashilhunpo, on the southern slope of a hill on the west side of central Shigatse, was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, later recognised as the first Dalai Lama, and has been the traditional seat of the Panchen Lamas since the 17th century. One of the six great monasteries of the Gelug school, it is a working monastery whose halls include a chapel with a giant gilded bronze statue of Maitreya and the tomb stupas of successive Panchen Lamas. Pilgrims walk the circuit path around its walls, and a tall wall above the complex is used to display giant thangkas at festivals.

The story

The monastery's Tibetan name means roughly 'all fortune and happiness gathered here'. Under the fourth Panchen Lama, Lobsang Chökyi Gyaltsen, it grew into the major centre of Tsang, and it has been the home of the Panchen Lama line ever since.

What to see at Tashilhunpo Monastery

• Great Assembly Hall 措钦大殿: The oldest building of the monastery and its main prayer hall, where the whole community gathers for chanting and teaching.
• Maitreya Chapel 强康殿: Houses the gilded bronze Maitreya, about 26 metres tall and decked with pearls, coral and other ornaments; it is reckoned among the largest of its kind.
• Panchen Lama stupas 班禅灵塔祀殿: Gilded tomb stupas of successive Panchen Lamas, including the shared hall for the fifth to ninth Panchen Lamas, rebuilt in the 1980s and consecrated in 1989.
• Thangka display wall 晒佛台: A tall white wall above the monastery where huge thangkas of Buddhas are unrolled for a few days in the middle of the fourth Tibetan month.
• Lingkhor circuit 林廓转经路: The pilgrim path around the monastery's outer wall, around 3 km long, passing prayer wheels, mani stones and views over the roofs.

How to visit Tashilhunpo Monastery

Enter through the main gate at the foot of the complex and climb past the colleges to the Great Assembly Hall, then work through the Maitreya Chapel and the Panchen Lama stupas, finishing at the thangka wall on the way down. Allow about half a day for the halls, with the kora as an extra if you have time; a quick visit can see the highlights in around two hours.

How to get to Tashilhunpo Monastery

In central Shigatse, which is two to three hours from Lhasa by train or about 260 km by road. Carry your passport for road checkpoints.

Where to stay

Stay in central Shigatse, where the monastery is a short walk or taxi ride from most hotels. It makes a natural overnight stop between Lhasa and Everest or Gyantse.

What to eat

• Yak butter tea 酥油茶: Hot tea churned with yak butter and salt, served everywhere on the plateau and more of a warming broth than a tea.
• Tsampa 糌粑: Roasted highland-barley flour, usually kneaded by hand with butter tea into a doughy ball; it is the staple of Tibetan cooking.
• Highland barley beer 青稞酒: A lightly sour, slightly sweet fermented drink made from highland barley, often called barley wine by guides.

Tips for visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery

• Foreign visitors need a Tibet Travel Permit and must travel with a licensed agency and guide; Shigatse is usually reached on an overland trip or the Lhasa–Shigatse train.
• Come early in the day to hear the monks chanting before tour groups arrive; some halls close during ceremonies, so ask your guide about the day's schedule.
• Shigatse is a little higher than Lhasa, so acclimatise first, dress modestly and walk clockwise around buildings and the outer kora.

Nearby

Also within 30 km: Shalu Monastery 夏鲁寺 (20 km).

On the map

Open Tashilhunpo Monastery on the illustrated map to see the terrain around it, what else is close, and to add it to a trip and plan the days.

Learn more

• Wikipedia
• Wikipedia (Chinese)