This nunnery compound is home to the huge Kadam-style funeral chörten of Sangye On (1251–96), a master of the Taklung School and founder of the Riwoche Tsuglhakhang in Eastern Tibet. Though small, it boasts some fine black murals and a golden stone mantra that is said to have appeared naturally at the moment of Songtsen Gampo’s birth. Though it has a history of 800 years, the nunnery is quietly falling to ruin with most of the outbuildings abandoned.
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
27.58 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…
11.56 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…
11.52 MILES
The recently renovated tsogchen (assembly hall) has statues of the 16 arhats (literally ‘worthy ones’) and two huge statues of Tsongkhapa (only visible…
11.31 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…
20.95 MILES
About 1km northwest of town is the Drigungpa-school Dzongsar Monastery. A short but steep climb brings you to a monastery located on a jagged slope; its…
11.51 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…
23.13 MILES
For those with an interest in Tibetan Buddhism, Drak Yerpa hermitage, about 30km northeast of Lhasa, is one of the holiest cave retreats in Ü. Among the…
11.59 MILES
Shartse Tratsang is one of several renovated kangtsang (residences) that offer the opportunity to meet the local monks away from the tourist trail. In the…
Nearby Ü attractions
1. Songtsen Gampo Memorial Hall
0.69 MILES
This Tibetan-style building is recognisable by its red tower. Just behind it are three Dumburi chörtens and the shrine and natural springs that mark the…
2.41 MILES
This two-floor chapel is dedicated to Songtsen Gampo and his two wives. The original building dates from the 7th century and resembles a smaller…
7.83 MILES
Legend has it that this combined Nyingmapa- and Kagyupa-order monastery was founded by the 7th-century King Songtsen Gampo, who was led here by the Buddha…
11.31 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…
11.47 MILES
Below the main assembly hall, the rather innocuous-looking Nyare Kangtsang houses a controversial statue of the deity Dorje Shugden, worship of which has…
11.51 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…
11.52 MILES
The recently renovated tsogchen (assembly hall) has statues of the 16 arhats (literally ‘worthy ones’) and two huge statues of Tsongkhapa (only visible…
11.52 MILES
One of the monastery's recently renovated minor residences, this building can be missed if you are running short of time.