Tashilhunpo Monastery Scenic Area in Shigatse City is located at No. 1, Jijilangka Road, Samzhubze District, Shigatse City, Tibet Autonomous Region. It is a national 5A-level tourist scenic area. Tashilhunpo Monastery means "the Auspicious Sumeru Monastery". It covers an area of 150,000 square meters, and the building area is nearly 30,000 square meters. The monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the largest monastery in the rear Tibet area. The buildings of the monastery are magnificent, with golden roofs and red walls, scattered in an orderly manner. The monastery houses a large number of Buddha statues, tangkas, Buddhist scriptures and other cultural relics. Its unique Tibetan architectural style and profound religious and cultural heritage attract many believers and tourists to pay homage and visit.
History and Culture
Tashilhunpo Monastery was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drubpa (the 1st Dalai Lama), a disciple of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug Sect. Since then, successive Panchen Lamas have continuously expanded and renovated the monastery, making its scale gradually larger and becoming an important religious and cultural center of the Gelug Sect in the rear Tibet area.
Throughout history, Tashilhunpo Monastery has witnessed many important historical events and religious inheritances in the Tibet region. It is not only the residence of the Panchen Lama but also an important place for monks in the rear Tibet area to study Buddhist scriptures and practice. The numerous Buddha statues, murals and cultural relics in the monastery all have extremely high historical, artistic and religious values and are important materials for studying Tibetan Buddhism and the history and culture of Tibet.
Tashilhunpo Monastery has a variety of religious ceremonies and Dharma assembly activities, such as the Thangka Display Festival every year, which attracts believers and tourists from all over. These activities not only inherit and carry forward Tibetan Buddhist culture but also provide a window for people to understand the religious customs of Tibet.
Main Attractions
Tsogchen Hall
Tsogchen Hall is the main hall of Tashilhunpo Monastery and the largest Buddha hall in the monastery. The hall is 4 stories high and covers an area of nearly 2,000 square meters, which can accommodate more than 2,000 people chanting scriptures. Inside the hall, there are Buddha statues of Sakyamuni and statues of many eminent monks. Among them, the Buddha statue of Sakyamuni is nearly 3 meters high, with exquisite modeling and superb craftsmanship. The walls of the hall are painted with exquisite murals, which are bright in color and rich in content, depicting Buddhist stories and historical figures.
Jampa Hall
The Jampa Hall houses the largest indoor copper-gilt Jampa Buddha statue in the world, that is, the Future Buddha. The Buddha statue is 26.2 meters high, and the lotus pedestal is 3.8 meters high, with a total height of 30 meters. The Buddha statue is solemn in shape and kind in expression, and the workmanship is meticulous. Only the nostrils of the Buddha statue can accommodate one person. The hall is decorated magnificently, and the walls around are painted with many Buddha statues and murals of Buddhist stories. It is one of the landmark buildings of Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Panchen Lama Stupa Hall
The Panchen Lama Stupa Hall was built in memory of successive Panchen Lamas, and the stupa hall of the 10th Panchen Lama is the most magnificent. The stupa is wrapped in gold foil and inlaid with various precious gems and jewels. Inside the stupa, the physical remains of the Panchen Lama and many religious cultural relics are treasured. The Panchen Lama Stupa Hall has a unique architectural style, with a brilliant golden roof, reflecting the respect and admiration of Tibetan Buddhism for the Panchen Lama.
Thangka Display Platform
The Thangka Display Platform is located on the Thangka Display Platform Square of Tashilhunpo Monastery. During the Thangka Display Festival every year, the huge tangka Buddha statues in the monastery will be displayed here. The tangka Buddha statues are bright in color and the scene is spectacular. The Thangka Display Festival attracts many believers and tourists to pay homage and is one of the important religious activities of Tashilhunpo Monastery. The Thangka Display Platform has also become an important place for tourists to understand Tibetan Buddhist culture and watch large-scale religious ceremonies.
Delicacies
Tibetan-style Steamed Buns
Tibetan-style steamed buns are one of the characteristic delicacies of Shigatse and are also common around Tashilhunpo Monastery Scenic Area. The filling is mostly made of yak beef, with an appropriate amount of scallions, spices, etc. The buns have thin skins and large fillings, and they taste delicious. When eating, you can pair them with some Tibetan-style chili sauce, which has a unique flavor. Tibetan-style steamed buns are generally sold at 2 to 3 yuan each, and you can taste them at Tibetan restaurants or snack stalls near the scenic area.
Butter and Milk Residue Steamed Buns
Butter and milk residue steamed buns are also local characteristic delicacies. Milk residue is the residue left after milk is used to extract butter. After processing, it is mixed with butter and other ingredients to make the filling. These buns have a unique taste, with both the sweet and sour taste of milk residue and the rich aroma of butter. Each butter and milk residue steamed bun costs about 3 to 4 yuan, and tourists can try them at characteristic restaurants around the scenic area.
Sweet Tea
Sweet tea is a traditional beverage loved by the Tibetan people and can be found everywhere in the teahouses around Tashilhunpo Monastery. It is made by boiling black tea, milk and sugar, and it tastes sweet and delicious, with a strong milk flavor and tea aroma. A cup of sweet tea costs about 5 to 10 yuan. Tourists can sit in the teahouse, taste the sweet tea and feel the local life atmosphere.
Highland Barley Wine
Highland barley wine is a characteristic wine in Tibet, brewed mainly from highland barley. The alcohol content is generally around 10 to 20 degrees, with a slightly sweet taste and a faint aroma of highland barley. In some restaurants or specialty stores around Tashilhunpo Monastery, tourists can taste highland barley wine. The price of a small cup ranges from 10 to 20 yuan. Moderate consumption of highland barley wine is also a way to experience local culture.
Entrance Tickets
The entrance ticket price of Tashilhunpo Monastery Scenic Area is 100 yuan per person. Children under 1.2 meters in height are free of charge. Active-duty military personnel, disabled people, and the elderly (60 years old and above) are free of charge with valid certificates. Students can enjoy a 50% discount (i.e., 50 yuan per person) with student IDs. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket window of the scenic area or booked in advance through online travel platforms.
Opening Hours
Tashilhunpo Monastery Scenic Area is open throughout the year, from 09:00 to 17:00 (ticket sales stop at 16:00). During special festivals or religious activities, the opening hours may be adjusted. Tourists can pay attention to the official website of the scenic area or relevant announcements in advance to arrange their itinerary reasonably.
Tour Routes
Recommended tour route: Tourists first enter the scenic area from the entrance and go to the Tsogchen Hall to admire the magnificent architecture of the main hall and the exquisite Buddha statues and murals. Then go to the Jampa Hall to pay homage to the largest indoor copper-gilt Jampa Buddha statue in the world. After that, visit the Panchen Lama Stupa Hall to learn about the history and culture of successive Panchen Lamas. Then go to the Thangka Display Platform. If you happen to catch the Thangka Display Festival, you can enjoy the spectacular thangka display ceremony. Finally, tourists can stroll along the prayer wheel path in the monastery to feel the religious atmosphere, and they can also buy some characteristic souvenirs in the surrounding souvenir shops. The whole tour process takes about 3 to 4 hours, and tourists can adjust the route and stay time according to their own time and interests.
Transportation
- Public transportation: In Shigatse urban area, you can take buses such as Route 1 and Route 2 to Tashilhunpo Monastery Station, and the fare is 1 to 2 yuan.
- Taxi: Taking a taxi to Tashilhunpo Monastery in Shigatse urban area is relatively convenient. The starting price of a taxi in the urban area is 10 yuan (including 2 kilometers), and then it charges 2 yuan per kilometer. The cost from other places in the urban area to Tashilhunpo Monastery is generally between 10 and 20 yuan, depending on the driving distance.
- Walking: If tourists stay in a hotel or inn near Tashilhunpo Monastery, they can also choose to walk there, which can not only enjoy the scenery along the way but also better feel the urban atmosphere of Shigatse.
Must-visit Attractions
- Tsogchen Hall: The main hall of Tashilhunpo Monastery, 4 stories high, with an area of nearly 2,000 square meters, can accommodate more than 2,000 people chanting scriptures, enshrines the Buddha statue of Sakyamuni, etc., and has exquisite murals on the walls.
- Jampa Hall: There is the largest indoor copper-gilt Jampa Buddha statue in the world, 30 meters high. The Buddha statue is solemn and kind, the hall is decorated magnificently, and the murals are rich.
- Panchen Lama Stupa Hall: Built in memory of successive Panchen Lamas, the stupa hall of the 10th Panchen Lama is the most magnificent. The stupa is wrapped in gold foil, inlaid with gems, and treasures many cultural relics.
- Thangka Display Platform: Located on the Thangka Display Platform Square, during the Thangka Display Festival, huge tangka Buddha statues are displayed, and the scene is spectacular. It is an important place to understand Tibetan Buddhist culture and watch religious ceremonies.
Tour Tips
- Since Tashilhunpo Monastery is located in a plateau area, tourists should make preparations to prevent altitude sickness before the tour, such as taking altitude sickness prevention medicine in advance and avoiding strenuous exercise.
- When entering the monastery for a visit, dress appropriately. Do not wear overly revealing or casual clothes. It is best to wear long sleeves and long pants.
- When visiting inside the monastery, keep quiet, respect religious beliefs and cultural customs, and do not make loud noises, touch cultural relics or Buddha statues, etc.
- It is relatively dark inside Tashilhunpo Monastery, and photography is prohibited in some areas. Tourists should abide by relevant regulations. If photography is allowed, do not use the flash to avoid damaging the cultural relics.
- When tasting local delicacies, pay attention to food hygiene and avoid eating too much raw and cold food to prevent gastrointestinal discomfort.
- If you are interested in Tibetan Buddhist culture, it is recommended to learn some relevant knowledge in advance, so that you can better understand and appreciate the history and culture of Tashilhunpo Monastery.
Notes
- When entering Tashilhunpo Monastery, it is strictly prohibited to carry inflammable and explosive items, controlled knives and other dangerous items.
- Respect the monks inside the monastery and do not disturb their practice and work at will.
- Do not smoke or litter inside the monastery to keep the monastery clean and tidy.
- When buying souvenirs, pay attention to the price and quality of the goods to avoid being deceived by unscrupulous merchants. You can compare several stores and choose merchants with good reputations to buy.
- If you feel unwell or encounter other emergencies during the tour, seek help from the staff of the scenic area in a timely manner or go to a nearby hospital for medical treatment.