When relating to Tibet, what appeared in the mind will be the Lhasa city, local culture, sceneries and minority life. Within easy cycling distance of central Lhasa are the impressive Gelugpa monasteries of Ganden and Drepung. Both are must-sees, even if you have only a brief stay in Lhasa. Now, let us walk closer to Lhasa city to research the treasures inside.

Famous Drepung Monastery

Measuring about 8 kilometers west of central Lhasa, Drepung was once of the world largest monasteries. The word Drepung literally translates as rice heap, a reference to the huge numbers of white monastic buildings that once piled up on the hillside. It suffered through the ages with assaults by the kings of Tang and the Mongols, but was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution and there is still much of interest intact. Rebuilding and resettlement continue at a pace unmatched elsewhere in Tibet and the site once again resembles a small village, with around 600 monks resident. The best way to visit chapels is to follow the pilgrims or failing that the yellow signs. Interior photography coasts 10 Yuan to 20 per chapel. A restaurant near the bus stop serves reviving tea by the glass, as well as bowls of shemdre and momos. The upstairs seating is very pleasant.

Profound History of Drepung Monastery
Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416 by a charismatic monk and disciple of Tsongkhapa celled Jamyang Choje. Within just a year of completion the monastery had attracted a population of some 2,000 monks. In the year of 1530 the second Dalai Lama established the Ganden Palace, the palace that was home to the Dalai Lamas unitil the fifth built the Potala. It was from here that the early Dalai Lamas exercised their political as well as religious control over central Tibet, and the second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas are all entombed here.

Dazzling Ganden Palace

From the car park, follow the kora clockwise around the outside of the monastery until you reach the steps up to the Ganden Palace. The first hall on the left is Sanga Tratsang, a recently renovated chapel housing statues of the protectors Namse, Nagpo Chenpo, Dorje Jigje, Palden Lhamo, Dharmaraja and the Nechung oracle, all arranged around a central statue of the fifth Dalai Lama.

Join us and all the mysterious and holy places will encounter your life here!