Gossul Monastery


South of Chiu Monastery on the shore of Manasarovar, this charming 16th-century monastery has long been part of the Manasarovar kora but can now be reached by road. The three resident monks will show you the tiny meditation cave of Götsangpa (the 13th-century ascetic who opened up the Kailash kora) and its sacred stone conch shell. The views of the lake from the short kora path are breathtaking.

Also worth visiting is the upstairs chapel with its painted stone carvings depicting the demons of Bardo (the state between death and rebirth), alongside a rangjung (self-rising) stone image of Mt Kailash. The monastery was completely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution. Pilgrims stock up on packets of holy Manasarovar sand, incense and natural soap here.

Dirt roads lead to Gossul from both south and north. If you are driving from Purang, an unsigned dirt road branches off the main road 10km north of the Gurla-la (around Km36), crosses a pass and then swings left to follow the lakeshore for 10km. From Chiu it's 6km south on the main paved road and then a further 7km on a dirt road to Gossul.

It's a lovely 12km (four-hour) hike from Gossul to Chiu along the shoreline Manasarovar kora path, or start from the turn-off to Gossul for the second 6km-long section.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby attractions

1. Chiu Hot Springs

6.7 MILES

If you fancy a relaxing post-Kailash soak or just need to get clean after a kora, the small hot springs beside Chiu village are piped into clean, private…

2. Chiu Monastery

6.84 MILES

Located 33km south of Darchen, Chiu (Sparrow) Monastery enjoys a fabulous location atop a craggy hill overlooking Lake Manasarovar. The monastery name…

3. Trugo Monastery

8.28 MILES

Trugo has a great location on the southern shore of Manasarovar, at a spot where many Indian pilgrims make their ritual immersion in the lake. The main…

4. Seralung Monastery

14.09 MILES

Seralung was built in 1728 to atone for a war against Ladakh. The most revered image is the central Jowo Katasapani; to the right is a statue of Kunchog…

5. Gokung Monastery

27.79 MILES

In the hills north of Purang are many meditation retreat caves formed around the cliff-side Gokung Monastery. A ladder leads up to a couple of upper-floor…

6. Mt Kailash

27.82 MILES

Sacred Mt Kailash dominates the landscape of western Tibet through both its unique geographical allure and its sacred, metaphysical role as the religious…

7. Shepeling Monastery

27.99 MILES

This ruined monastery towers over Purang town from its dramatic hilltop position. In 1949 the Swami Pranavananda described this Kagyud monastery, which…