Ganden Monastery
དགའ་ལྡན། 甘丹寺
The founding monastery of the Gelug school, built by Je Tsongkhapa, perched in a mountain hollow at 4,300 meters. The kora path offers views over the Lhasa River valley.
Ganden Monastery was founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school. It is the first of the six great Gelug monasteries, and its successive Ganden Tripas have held the highest throne of the Gelug school. The monastery's buildings rise in tiers along the slopes of Wangbur Ri at an altitude of about 4,300 meters. The main halls include the Tsomchen Hall and Tsongkhapa's Reliquary Hall (Yangbajian). The kora path behind the monastery takes about an hour and has excellent views over the Lhasa River valley. Ganden is about 57 kilometers from Lhasa, roughly 1.5 hours by car. Pilgrim buses leave from near Barkhor Street every morning. Admission is about 45 yuan. The altitude is high, so it is best to wait a few days to acclimatize before visiting.
Opening hours
About 09:00–16:00
Nearby sights
- Drak Yerpa
- Drapchi Monastery
- Sera Monastery
- Ani Tsankhung Nunnery
- Tromsikhang Market
- Guangming Sweet Tea House
- Makye Ame
- Ramoche Temple