The green-walled, Chinese-roofed Jangchub Semkye Ling houses a host of bodhisattvas around a statue of Marmedze (the Past Buddha) on an ornate lotus plinth, with a 3D wooden mandala to the side. Look for the sacred stone to the left. Take a torch (flashlight) to see the exceptional Central Asian–style murals.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
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About 170km southeast of Lhasa, on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) is Samye Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet. Founded in…
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The central building of Samye, the Ütse comprises a unique synthesis of architectural styles. The ground and 1st floors were originally Tibetan in style,…
3.99 MILES
Chim-puk Hermitage is a collection of cave shrines northeast of Samye that grew up over the centuries around the meditation retreat of Guru Rinpoche. Chim…
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18.69 MILES
Dating back to the 7th-century reign of Songtsen Gampo, Tradruk is one of the earliest Buddhist temples in Tibet. It was founded at the same time as Lhasa…
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29.72 MILES
The red, fortress-like structure of Tsongkhapa’s mausoleum is probably the most impressive of the reconstructed buildings at Ganden. It’s above a…
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29.71 MILES
The recently renovated tsogchen (assembly hall) has statues of the 16 arhats (literally ‘worthy ones’) and two huge statues of Tsongkhapa (only visible…
27.96 MILES
About 50km east of Lhasa, this monastery, founded in 1417 by Tsongkhapa, was the first Gelugpa monastery. Still the order's heart and soul, it's the one…
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29.74 MILES
To the east of the Assembly Hall's Ser Trikhang (Golden Throne Room) and slightly uphill, this residence contains the living quarters and throne of the…
Nearby attractions
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This small temple is dedicated to the moon (dawa), with notable old murals of Tara on the wall to the left.
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The Kordzo Pehar Ling was the home of the oracle Pehar until he moved to Nechung Monastery outside Lhasa. Before the ongoing renovation, pilgrims would…
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This charming chapel houses three huge prayer wheels and some lovely murals.
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About 170km southeast of Lhasa, on the north bank of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra River) is Samye Monastery, the first monastery in Tibet. Founded in…
0.09 MILES
The central building of Samye, the Ütse comprises a unique synthesis of architectural styles. The ground and 1st floors were originally Tibetan in style,…
0.13 MILES
The Jampa Ling, on the western side of the Samye complex, is the site of Samye’s Great Debate, which determined the course of Tibetan Buddhism. On the…
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Once the monastery printing press, now serving as a small chapel. Look for the sacred stone in the centre of the chapel which was once used to hold ink…
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If you pass this yellow-walled residential college between 11am and noon, or between 5.30pm and 7pm, listen for the sounds of teachings from the main hall…