Tsechen Monastery
རྩེ་ཆེན་དགོན།
An ancient monastery and ruins on a hill northwest of Gyantse. It was damaged in the 1904 British invasion, and climbing the hill offers views of the Nyang Chu valley and Gyantse.
Tsechen Monastery (also called Zijin Monastery) sits on a hill about 5 kilometres northwest of Gyantse County town. It was once an important monastery and fortress in the Nyang Chu valley. It was the scene of fierce fighting during the British invasion of Tibet in 1904 and suffered severe damage. Large stretches of rammed-earth walls still stand on the hillside, and a rebuilt small temple sits at the foot of the hill. From the top you can look down on barley fields in the Nyang Chu valley and across to Gyantse Dzong in the distance. It's a lesser-known spot for photography and hiking. Visitors are few, and entry is essentially free. Reach it by car or chartered vehicle. The hillside is exposed, so bring sun protection and take the altitude into account.
Opening hours
Open all day (temple open during daytime)
Nearby sights
- Pala Manor
- Pelkor Chode Monastery (Gyantse)
- Gyantse Old Street (Jiarijiao)
- Gyantse Dzong
- Drongtse Monastery
- Nenying Monastery
- Manla Reservoir
- Simi La Pass