Drepung Monastery

Highlight tourist attraction in Lhasa

Drepung Monastery

Drepung Monastery is the largest monastery in Tibet which is located at the foot of Mount Gephel, 5km from the western suburb of Lhasa city. It is considered one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa while the other two are Sera Monastery and Ganden Monastery. Drepung is surrounded by mountains on three sides and the south side is a slow slope covered with trees and shrubs.

History  The Monastery was built in 1416 by Jamyang Choge Tashi Palden, one of the Tshongkhapa’s main disciples. Now Drepung is divided into seven great colleges which has different teaching ancestries, teaching emphasis and traditions.  As the mother temple of all previous Dalai Lama, Drepung enjoys the highest status in the Gelug Sect. And it houses plenty of cultural and historical relics and Buddhist scriptures.

Highlight Thangka Unveiling

Thangka Unveiling is one of the highlights of Drepung Monastery during the Sho Dun Festival. Every year many visitors and local people come here to worship the giant Buddha on the Thangka which is about 20 metres wide and 30 metres long.

Practical Drepung Monastery Travel Tips

There is much to learn before visiting it.

1. The best travel season is summer, especially during the Sho Dun Festival.

2. The total time for visiting Drepung Monastery is nearly 3 hours.