Nyingtri Prefecture attractions

The centerpiece of a large walled complex, the colourful Lamaling Temple is a rare example of the Zangtok Pelri style of building. This style, which imitates the 'Glorious Copper Mountain Paradise' of Guru Rinpoche …

Eastern Tibet is blessed with many beautiful lakes but this is arguably the best of the lot. Draksum-tso, and particularly its monastery island, is a photographer’s dream. Apart from the sheer beauty of the lake and…

This tranquil 17th-century Nyingma-sect monastery is set on a pine-clad hill overlooking the valley, and is home to 52 monks. The main prayer hall includes the footprint of the seventh Khamtrul Rinpoche, Sangye Tenz…

Bönri is the Bön religion’s most sacred mountain, a sprawling massif where Bön founder Tonpa Shenrab fought and defeated his arch rival Khyabpa Lagring, and where legend holds that Guru Rinpoche fought epic battles …

On pretty Bakha Island in the middle of the Parlung Tsangpo sits Bakha Gompa, an 800-year-old Nyingma monastery which was previously the seat of power in Powo (the traditional name of the once highly independent reg…

The monastery (Fortress on the Lake) is a small Nyingmapa chapel tucked into the forest on a tiny islet off the shore of Draksum-tso. Associated with the 8th-century king Trisong Detsen, it is also the 14th-century …

This small Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) sect monastery with a stunning hilltop location was founded in the 17th century as a branch of Drepung Monastery. It was named after the famous lama Temo, who later became a black she…

This small, golden-roofed Bön monastery was rebuilt in 2008 after being gutted in a fire. It’s home to eight monks and is famous for a 2000-year-old juniper tree that is sacred to Bönpos (the name Neche Goshog trans…

Around 500m back to the west from the Mid-lake Island Tourist Service Centre (湖心岛旅游服务中心, Húxīndǎo Lǚyóu Fúwù Zhōngxīn), climb a small hill to a viewing platform with magnificent panoramic views over the lake and Tso…

This small Gelugpa monastery dates from the 7th century, when it was built at the command of King Songtsen Gampo as one of the demoness-subduing temples; it pins the demoness’ right elbow. Inside are a number of hol…