Tibet Group Tours to Rongbuk Monastery

Rongbuk Monastery is the highest monastery in altitude of the world. Locates in Tingri County of Shigatse Prefecture, Rongbuk Monastery is 5800 high above the sea level. Here are some information for tourists who plan a Tibet group tour to Rongbuk Monastery.

History of Rongbuk Monastery

Rongbuk Monastery is a temple of Tibetan Nyingma and a characteristic temple where both monks and nuns live. Rongbuk Monastery was first constructed in 1899 by Red Hats Lama, Tenzin, located at the end of Rongbuk Glaciers, with an altitude of 5154 meters high above the sea level. It is only 20 kilometers to the peak of Mt. Everest. There are new monastery and old monastery. There is 3 kilometers’ distance between the old and new. The old one is close to Mt. Everest, where still remain the cultivate cave of Padmasambhava, stones and pinnacles which printed the finger print and foot print. The new Rongbuk Monastery was built on 1902. In fact, Rongbuk Monastery once was in large scale, owned more than 10 temples, some even in Nepal. Some was destroyed for historical reasons.

Today’s Rongbuk Monastery

Rongbuk Monastery was build down the hillside. Totally there are five floors, two floors of which are used now. Why the temple was build on such a high place? It is said that because it is quiet and peaceful here. People here believe in Nyingma. The payer stones outside the monasteries were made to pray for good luck by the local believers. Once there owns more than 300 monks and 300 nuns and over 20 palace halls at palmy days. Now there are 11 monks and 8 nuns, one hall for chanting and one palace hall. At present, there are 8 temples affiliated, a nunnery included. As it is only about 20 kilometers to Mt. Everest, Rongbuk Monastery has become the base camp for climbing the north range of Mt. Everest. It is superexcellent point to take photos and camera shooting of Mt. Everest. Around Rongbuk Monastery, there is a Circumanbulation. Before the audience hall, there is a stage for watching. Local people will watch the show performed by Lama when there are important festivals. The monastery experienced rebuild in large scale in 1983. the wall painting are worth viewing and admiring carefully.