Zuohai Monastery
作海寺
A Yungdrung Bön monastery, rare in Gannan, tucked into the mountain foothills on the eastern side of Ganjia Grassland. Its painted wooden doorposts and prayer wheel circuit are distinctive features.
Zuohai Monastery lies in Ganjia Town, Xiahe County. It is one of the few Yungdrung Bön monasteries in the Gannan area. Bön prayer wheels turn counterclockwise, unlike those at the surrounding Gelug monasteries, which gives visitors a direct sense of the diversity of religious traditions on the Tibetan plateau. The monastery is not large. Its highlights include the ancient painted doorposts at the entrance, the murals in the assembly hall, and the surrounding grassland and pastures. It is often visited together with Bajiao Ancient City, Ganjia and Baishiya Karst Cave. Admission is set on site and is usually by voluntary donation. Getting there: hiring a car from Xiahe town takes about 1 hour. Note: Respect monastery rules. Do not photograph inside the halls. Walk the prayer circuit counterclockwise, as local custom requires.
Opening hours
Daytime
Nearby sights
- Bajiao Ancient City, Ganjia
- Baishiya Karst Cave
- Ganjia Grassland
- Dazong Lake
- Labrang Prayer Wheel Circuit
- Labrang Monastery
- Gongtang Stupa
- Sangke Grassland