Tashilhunpo Monastery

Background

Tashilhunpo Monastery stands in the city of Shigatse, Tibet Autonomous Region, built against a hillside, its golden roofs set off by white walls. The monastery was founded in 1447 by Gendun Drub, the first Dalai Lama, and later became the seat of successive Panchen Lamas; it is one of the important monasteries of the Gelug school. Its halls include the great assembly hall, the Panchen Lama's residence and the stupa chapels of successive Panchen Lamas; the bronze Maitreya in the Maitreya Chapel is 26.2 metres tall and sits on a lotus throne; the stupa chapels are resplendent in gold, and behind the monastery rises a tall wall for displaying thangkas.

Local customs

• Visit the great assembly hall, the Maitreya Chapel and the stupa chapels in turn
• walk the pilgrimage circuit around the outside of the monastery
• during the summer Buddha-display festival, watch the giant thangka being unfurled on the display wall
• and look out for the monks' daily debating and chanting.

Travel tips

• A visit takes about half a day
• ticket prices differ between peak and off-peak seasons and are as officially announced by the scenic area. Shigatse is at high altitude, so take things slowly, drink plenty of water and watch for altitude sickness such as headaches and shortness of breath.
• From Lhasa, take a train or bus to Shigatse
• the monastery is in the city and can be reached on foot or by city transport. It can be visited all year round
• it is liveliest during the summer Buddha-display festival, and in winter there are fewer visitors and the visit is more leisurely.