Recommended Tibetan Architectures

Jokhang Temple

Jokhang Temple, Drepung Monastery, Ganden Monastery, Sera Monastery, Tsupu Monastery, Tsayepa Monstery, Reting Monastery and Drigung Monastery are the representation of Tibetan Architecture.

There is a saying that Jokhang Temple built first and then Lhasa City appears since it was built in B.C 647 during Tubo Dynasty . The twelve-year-old Shakyamuni Statue is preserved well in Jokhang Temple.

Jokhang Temple is regarded as the great spiritual pillar of Tibetan Buddhists. Its status in the heart of the Tibetans is the same as that of the Potala Palace. Therefore, the Jokhang Temple is a must-go place for the tourists to Tibet.

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is located at the foot of Mountain Gambo Utse, 10 kilometers from the western suburb of Lhasa. It was built in 1416 A.D by Jamyang Choje, a disciple of Gelugpa in Tibetan Buddhism.

Drepung Monastery is regarded as the largest one in Tibet and it is one of the six main monasteries of Gelug Sect. It is praised as the top-3 monastery of Tibet Buddhism with Ganden Monastery and Sera Monastery together.

Drepung Monastery features Buddha Exhibition in Shoton Festival.

Ganden Monastery

Ganden Monastery is located on the 3,800-meters-high Wangbori Mountain in the Dazi County, 57 kilometers away from Lhasa.

It was built on Feb. 2nd of B.C 1410, which is regarded as one of the 6 main monasteries of Gelug Sect and also praised as the top-3 monastery of Tibet Buddhism with Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery together.

Sera Monastery

Sera Monastery is the second larger one in Tibet and it is regarded as the top-3 monastery of Tibet Buddhism with Drepung Monastery and Ganden Monastery together.

Sera Monastery features the Buddhism debating by Buddhists. From Monday to Friday, Lamas usually have debates in the special debating field from 3 p.m. The debate usually lasts about one hour and a half.

Tsupu Monastery

Tsupu Monastery located 60 kilometers west of Lhasa and it is thought to be the most important monastery of Karma Kargyu.

Tsupu Monastery is the main one of Kagyu Sect (Black Hat Sect). It is said that the rule of reincarnation created by First Karmapa was carried out in Tsupu Monastery firstly.

Tsayepa Monastery

Tsayepa Monastery belongs to Nyingma Sect (Red Sect). It is built in B.C 7 century.

Tsayepa Monastery was constructed based on the caves. It is said that there are altogether 108 caves in the Zhayeba Monastery.

Reting Monastery

Reting Monastery was built in B.C 1051 and it was surrounded by thousands and thousands of ancient cypresses. It is the main monastery of Kadam Sect.

Drigung Monastery

Drigung Monastery is the main monastery of Drigung Kargyu Sect.

In 1179, Drigungpa came to the place of Drigung and found a little monastery, Drigung Monastery. The monastery has been extended later by him. At last, he became the abbot of the monastery.