Lost Yourself in Tashilhunpo Monastery During Tibet Tour

Tashilunpo Monastery was founded in 1447 and is the largest Yellow Hat sect monastery in Tibet. Shigaste is Tibet’s 2nd most important city and Tashilunpo was the seat of the Panchen Lamas. Tashilunpo contains chortens, temples and the Panchen Lama’s palace. Tashilhunpo Monastery is the biggest functioning monastery in TibetChina travel service and one of the 6 biggest Gelukpa monasteries.At its peak, Tashilunpo had more than 4,000 monks in its 4 monasteries. Upon the death of a Panchen Lama, it was the 4 abbots of these monasteries that would lead the search for his infant reincarnation.

There is too much to see and admire in this magnificent Tashilhunpo Monastery along Tibet tour. As you enter the monastery, you will find a wall overlooking the monastery, which was build by the order of the first Dalai Lama in the year 1468. The monastery witnesses the largest number of visitors during the Buddha Thangka display festival which is held on every 14, 15 and 16 of May according to Tibetan calendar. On this day, the wall displays images of Lord Buddha. And when looking the monastery, from entry you will see the mighty building with white walls and shining golden roof. In the west side, the Maitreya Chapel holds the biggest statue of a sitting Maitreya Buddha, almost 86 feet in height, well decorated with gold, diamond, pearl and every other rare stone that you can think of. It is spellbinding to know that it is purely handcrafted by around 900 craftsmen and took more than 9 years in its construction. From the other higher levels of the Chapel, you can clearly see and appreciate the Lord's monolith. The other attraction of the monastery is the Stupa of the tenth Panchen Lama. It lies east of the chapel and is covered with 614 kgs. of gold and innumerable number of jewels and precious stones. From the top floor, you will get the best view of the statue.

Opening time of the temple is from 8-12am and 2-4 pm. Except for the days like Tibetan New Year and dancing daily festivals when you can enter the monastery for free, you have to pay a minimal charge to enter the monastery. Reaching the temples is not a problem. A hand pulled rickshaw can take you there in minimal charge but you have to separate plenty of time to spend inside the temple. It takes around three hours to visit the temple and for a temple that covers an area of 300,000 Sq. m it’s not a big deal. Though kids might not find this place too interesting, for serious people who love ancient architectures and philosophy, it’s a heaven. Learn more China travel guide.