Dazang Monastery (Dhe-Tsang)
ད་ཚང་དགོན་པ
Founded in 1414, this Gelug monastery is the principal monastery of northern Sichuan, set on the neck of an elephant-shaped mountain with views over the surrounding peaks.
Dazang Monastery was founded in the 12th year of the Yongle reign of the Ming dynasty (1414) by Ngawang Drakpa, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. It is the principal Gelug monastery across northern Sichuan and is known as 'the second of the zhacang' (monastic colleges). It was listed as a national key cultural heritage site in 2013. The monastery lies in Dazang Township, north of Barkam town. Above 3,500 m, the Qukeer Mountain looks like a giant elephant, and the monastery is built on the elephant's neck, with golden roofs set against distant mountains and seas of cloud. Reaching it requires a drive up forest-farm mountain roads. The journey is long and road conditions are average, so hire a car or off-road vehicle and confirm road conditions in advance. Entry is free, but photography is not permitted inside the halls.
Opening hours
Daytime
Nearby sights
- Changlie Monastery
- Songgang Sky Street (Kepan)
- Zhibo Watchtowers
- Xisuo Village
- Zhuokeji Chieftain's Official Residence
- Suomo River Gorge
- Caodeng Monastery
- Mengbi Mountain