This hugely atmospheric Red Hat sect temple is located east of Gyantse Dzong. The temple is dedicated to the 8th century Indian master Padmasambhava (aka Guru Rinpoche or Guru Lhakhang in Tibetan), who founded Samye Monastery. It dates to the 1400s and is home to 14 monks. There are two small chapels with large central prayer wheels and beautifully colourful wall murals, as well as a larger main prayer hall.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.69 MILES
Commissioned by a local prince in 1427 and sitting beside Palcho Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum is the town’s foremost attraction. This 32m-high chörten, with…
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0.66 MILES
The high red-walled compound in the far north of Gyantse houses Palcho Monastery, founded in 1418. The main assembly hall is of greatest interest, but…
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3.17 MILES
The traditional village of Tsechen is located about 5km northwest of Gyantse en route to Shigatse. The small Sakyapa-school Tsechen Ge Tubden Rabgye Ling…
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0.82 MILES
This charming nunnery (ani gompa in Tibetan) hidden behind the hill that runs between Palcho Monastery and the Gyantse Dzong, is home to 44 nuns. It is a…
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2.08 MILES
This private folk museum opposite Palha Manor offers an excellent introduction into Tibetan farm life. Alongside mock-ups of a traditional kitchen,…
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14.83 MILES
This tiny place, home to just nine nuns, is built around two ancient meditation caves of Guru Rinpoche, one of which has a stone footprint of the guru…
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11.48 MILES
On a tse (peak) said to resemble a wild yak, this Yellow Hat monastery was founded in 1442, and later adopted as a branch of Tashilhunpo. In the gönkhang …
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24.39 MILES
About 41km from Gyantse is the county capital of Panam and the 15th-century Changme Monastery. Levelled in the Cultural Revolution, the monastery was…
Nearby attractions
0.23 MILES
The main reason to make the 20-minute climb to the top of this 14th-century fort is for the fabulous views of Palcho Monastery and Gyantse's whitewashed…
0.66 MILES
The high red-walled compound in the far north of Gyantse houses Palcho Monastery, founded in 1418. The main assembly hall is of greatest interest, but…
0.69 MILES
Commissioned by a local prince in 1427 and sitting beside Palcho Monastery, Gyantse Kumbum is the town’s foremost attraction. This 32m-high chörten, with…
0.82 MILES
This charming nunnery (ani gompa in Tibetan) hidden behind the hill that runs between Palcho Monastery and the Gyantse Dzong, is home to 44 nuns. It is a…
5. Gönlong Retok Ganden Retreat
2.01 MILES
Hidden in the fold of a valley north of town, this ruined and little-visited monastery is a 7km drive from Gyantse from a turn-off near the Rabse Nunnery…
2.04 MILES
This former merchant’s house once belonged to the largest noble family in Tsang (the Palha – one of the five largest in Tibet), but is now a government…
7. Tsang Traditional Folk House
2.08 MILES
This private folk museum opposite Palha Manor offers an excellent introduction into Tibetan farm life. Alongside mock-ups of a traditional kitchen,…
3.17 MILES
The traditional village of Tsechen is located about 5km northwest of Gyantse en route to Shigatse. The small Sakyapa-school Tsechen Ge Tubden Rabgye Ling…