Reting Monastery
རྭ་སྒྲེང་དགོན་པ།
The main monastery of the Kadampa school of Tibetan Buddhism, set on a hillside ringed with ancient cypress trees. It is a classic day trip on the northern route from Lhasa.
Reting Monastery lies in Tanggu Township, Lhünzhub County, about 80 kilometers from Lhasa (roughly 3 hours by car). Dromtönpa founded it in 1056. It was the first monastery of the Kadampa school and later became an important Gelug monastery. Successive Reting Rinpoches served as regents. The monastery sits on a hillside in the Reting Tsangpo valley, surrounded by ancient cypress groves. Walking routes around the mountain overlook the monastery and the valley. The scenery is serene, and far fewer tourists come than to the monasteries in the city. Admission is about several dozen yuan (check on site). You need a chartered car or your own vehicle, and it is often combined with Taklung Monastery and Drigung Til into a northern-route tour. The altitude is about 4,200 meters, so acclimatize well before going. Follow the rules on photography inside the monastery.
Opening hours
Approx. 09:00–18:00; subject to temple schedule
Nearby sights
- Ganden Monastery
- Drak Yerpa
- Pabonka Hermitage
- Drigung Til Monastery
- Sera Monastery
- Drapchi Monastery
- Ramoche Temple
- Tromsikhang Market