PLACES · TRADITIONS · CULTURE
Discover 29 representative places across the Tibetan Buddhist traditions, with a focus on Gelug. This cultural directory is a starting point, not a complete list.
How to use this page: start with the three great monasteries of Lhasa (Ganden, Drepung and Sera) and Tashi Lhunpo in Shigatse; then Kumbum and Labrang in Amdo, Yonghe Temple in Beijing and Gandan in Ulaanbaatar; then the Gelug monasteries re-established in South India, and finally centres of other traditions and abroad. Places marked “On this site” have longer illustrated guides.
29 places
Monastery
Founded by Tsongkhapa himself in 1409, the first monastery of the Gelug tradition. Its abbot, the Ganden Tripa, holds the Gelug throne.
Look forThe hall housing Tsongkhapa’s reliquary stupa, and the kora path along the ridge with views over the valley.
On this site: Ganden Monastery guide · The Ganden Tripa
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Founded in 1416 by Tsongkhapa’s disciple Jamyang Choje Tashi Palden on the western edge of Lhasa. Historically the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery; its colleges include Loseling and Gomang.
Look forWhite buildings stepping up the hillside, and the great assembly hall.
On this site: Drepung Monastery guide
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Founded in 1419 by Tsongkhapa’s disciple Jamchen Choje Shakya Yeshe; with Ganden and Drepung one of the three great Gelug monasteries of Lhasa. Sera Jey in India is listed separately.
Look forThe debate courtyard, where monks usually debate in the afternoon (times vary).
On this site: Sera and debate
Background reference → View on map →
Temple / pilgrimage site
Built in the 7th century, traditionally under King Songtsen Gampo, at the heart of old Lhasa and regarded as the holiest shrine in Tibet. Added to the World Heritage List in 2000 as part of the Potala Palace ensemble.
Look forThe Jowo Shakyamuni statue, said to have been brought to Tibet by Princess Wencheng, and the Barkhor circuit around the temple.
On this site: Shakyamuni Buddha
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery
Founded in 1447 by Tsongkhapa’s disciple Gendun Drub, the principal Gelug monastery of Tsang and the seat of the successive Panchen Lamas.
Look forThe gilded copper Maitreya, about 26 m tall, begun in 1914.
On this site: Tashi Lhunpo guide · Maitreya
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Built at Tsongkhapa’s birthplace around a memorial stupa raised in 1379. The monastery was begun in 1560 and grew to four colleges: philosophy, tantra, medicine and Kalachakra.
Look forThe Great Golden-Roof Hall, whose stupa marks the place of Tsongkhapa’s birth.
On this site: Tsongkhapa
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Founded in 1709 by the first Jamyang Zhepa, Ngawang Tsondru; one of the leading Gelug centres of learning in Amdo and among the largest monasteries outside Tibet.
Look forIts six colleges, the largest being the college of philosophy, alongside Kalachakra, medicine and Hevajra.
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery
Once a Qing prince’s residence, converted into a Tibetan Buddhist monastery in 1744. A leading imperial monastery of the Qing, and the most accessible Gelug monastery in Beijing.
Look forThe Maitreya carved from a single sandalwood trunk, 18 m above ground and 8 m below, listed by Guinness World Records.
On this site: Maitreya
Official website → View on map →
Monastery
Founded in 1073 by Khön Könchok Gyalpo; the mother monastery of the Sakya tradition, which takes its name from this place.
Look forThe wall of scriptures in the main hall, about 60 m long and 10 m high.
Background reference → View on map →
Historic monastery
The first monastery in Tibet, built in the 8th century by King Trisong Detsen with the abbot Shantarakshita; tradition says Padmasambhava subdued the local spirits here. Tibet’s first monks were ordained at Samye.
Look forA layout that represents Mount Meru and the four continents, modelled on Odantapuri in India.
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Mongolia’s principal Gelug monastery, which grew up in the first half of the 19th century. Monastic life has revived there since 1990.
Look forThe gilded Avalokiteshvara, 26.5 m tall, dedicated in 1996 in the Migjid Janraisig temple.
On this site: Avalokiteshvara
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Ganden’s two colleges, Shartse and Jangtse, were re-established side by side at Mundgod in South India around 1969–1971, continuing Ganden’s programme of study.
Look forIt shares the Mundgod settlement with Drepung, so the two can be visited together.
On this site: Ganden Monastery guide
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Drepung’s colleges, including Loseling and Gomang, were re-established at Mundgod in South India around 1969–1970, continuing their study and debate traditions.
Look forPrayer halls usually open on weekday mornings and afternoons and close on Mondays; foreign visitors need a Protected Area Permit in advance. Check the monastery’s guidance.
On this site: Drepung Monastery guide
Official website → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Re-established at Bylakuppe in 1970; the first monks cleared about 225 acres of forest by hand, and the first assembly hall opened in 1979.
Look forIt continues Sera Jey’s tradition of philosophical study and debate.
On this site: Sera and debate
Official website → View on map →
Monastery
Rebuilt at Bylakuppe in 1972, continuing the lineage of Tashi Lhunpo in Shigatse; it now has more than 400 monks.
Look forRead it alongside Tashi Lhunpo in Shigatse to see one lineage continuing in two places.
On this site: Tashi Lhunpo guide
Official website → View on map →
Tantric college
Gyuto was founded in Lhasa around 1474 by Kunga Dondrub; with Gyume it is one of the two great Gelug tantric colleges. In India it moved several times before its foundation stone was laid at Sidhbari in 1989; Gyume was re-established at Hunsur in South India.
Look forFamous for its deep, chordal chanting; its study centres on the Guhyasamaja, Chakrasamvara and Yamantaka tantras.
On this site: Gyuto and Gyume · The three great Gelug deities
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Founded in 1963 by Penor Rinpoche, the 11th throne holder of the Palyul lineage. It began with about ten monks and now has more than 9,000 monks and nuns registered.
Look forThe Golden Temple, completed in 1999, and its three great statues.
Official website → View on map →
Monastery
The original monastery dates from the 18th century; the present one was built under the 16th Karmapa and completed in 1966. An important place for understanding Karma Kagyu monastic culture.
Look forThe golden stupa holding the 16th Karmapa’s relics, and the Karma Shri Nalanda Institute opposite.
Background reference → View on map →
Monastery / learning centre
Founded in 1969 by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche above the Kathmandu valley. Since 1971 it has held a month-long meditation and introductory course every November.
Look forThe November course, and Kopan Nunnery nearby, founded in 1979.
Official website → View on map →
Monastery / monastic college
Founded in 1980 by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche near the Boudhanath stupa, continuing the tradition of Shechen in Kham; it has about 450 monks.
Look forThe Shechen Institute for Higher Buddhist Studies (1989) with its nine-year course; monks also train in ritual music, sacred dance and painting.
Official website → View on map →
Sacred site / monastery
The present temple was built in 1692–1694 on a cliff at about 3,120 m and is dedicated mainly to the eight forms of Padmasambhava. A fire in 1998 damaged it; it has since been restored.
Look forTradition says Padmasambhava arrived here on a tigress to meditate, which gives the site its name.
Background reference → View on map →
Dzong / monastic centre
Built in 1637–1638 by Zhabdrung Ngawang Namgyal where the Pho Chhu and Mo Chhu rivers meet; Bhutan’s second-oldest dzong and the winter seat of the central monk body.
Look forThe dzong at the meeting of the two rivers, where every king of Bhutan has been crowned.
Official website → View on map →Monastery
Opened in July 2010 as Khenchen Thrangu Rinpoche’s monastery in Canada, described as the first traditional Tibetan monastery in the country.
Look forA gilded Shakyamuni about 4 m tall in the main hall; usually open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays. Check the monastery’s notices.
On this site: Shakyamuni Buddha
Official website → View on map →
Monastery / learning centre
Founded in 1974 by Jigdal Dagchen Sakya and Dezhung Rinpoche and known by its present name since 1984; one of the few traditional Sakya monasteries in North America.
Look forA Sakya lineage led by members of the Khön family.
Official website → View on map →
Monastery / learning centre
Founded in 1967 by Chögyam Trungpa Rinpoche and Akong Rinpoche and described as the first Tibetan Buddhist centre in the West; its temple was consecrated in 1988.
Look forThe golden temple and great stupa in a Scottish valley; the name comes from Samye, Tibet’s first monastery.
Official website → View on map →
Monastery / research library
Consecrated in November 1968 as the Monastery of the Wheel of Dharma, one of the earliest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the West; it was set up as an “institute” because Swiss law then did not allow new monasteries. Since 2007 its monks have come from all four traditions: Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya and Gelug.
Look forA specialist library of about 11,000 Tibetan titles, one of the larger of its kind; the monastery and prayer flags on the wooded slope.
Official website → View on map →
Buddhist study centre / retreats
Founded in the mid-1970s by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche and named after Tsongkhapa, one of the larger Gelug study centres in Europe. The first Masters Program began here in 1998; the institute also has a community of monks and a nunnery.
Look forThe castle buildings in the Tuscan countryside and the stupa in the garden; courses, meditation and short stays are offered. Check official notices.
On this site: Tsongkhapa
Official website → View on map →Monastery / learning centre
Founded in 1981 by Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche, the first FPMT monastery in the West, offering the Basic Program and the Masters Program. Not to be confused with ancient Nalanda in India.
Look forUsually open to visitors on Sunday afternoons, except during retreats. Check official notices.
Official website → View on map →
Buddhist study / retreat centre
Lama Yeshe and Lama Zopa Rinpoche taught Australia’s first month-long lamrim course here in 1974. It was the first Tibetan Buddhist centre in Australia and the first FPMT centre outside the Indian subcontinent.
Look forSet in the forested hinterland of the Sunshine Coast; it marked its 50th anniversary in 2024.
Official website → View on map →No matching places. Try a different region, tradition or search.
Customs vary from place to place; these apply at most Tibetan Buddhist monasteries.
Photos are archival views, not a guarantee of present conditions; resize only, with licences and credits linked. Some places await a suitably licensed photograph. Check official notices before visiting; opening hours and activities can change.
