Tashilhunpo Monastery
Seat of the Panchen Lama, and one of the largest working monasteries in Tibet.
Founded in 1447 by the 1st Dalai Lama, Tashilhunpo has been the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, Tibetan Buddhism's second-highest-ranking figure, ever since, and remains one of the largest functioning monasteries in Tibet, with several hundred monks still in residence. Its whitewashed walls and gold rooftops dominate the hillside above Shigatse, Tibet's second city.
Inside, the monastery's standout feature is the Maitreya Chapel, home to a colossal 26-metre gilded statue of the Future Buddha, among the largest gilded bronze statues in the world. The monastery's assembly halls, funerary chapels for past Panchen Lamas, and active monastic college make it a genuine working religious institution, not a preserved relic.
Highlights
The 26-metre gilded Maitreya (Future Buddha) statue
Traditional seat of the Panchen Lama since 1447
One of the few Tibetan monasteries that avoided major damage during the Cultural Revolution
A working monastic college, still home to several hundred monks
Practical Info
Address
Shigatse city centre, Tibet Autonomous Region
Opening Hours
9:30am–7:00pm daily (last entry 6:00pm)
Price
moderate
Entry fee payable on site; check current pricing with your guide
In This Destination
Shigatse
Tibet's second city, gateway to Everest's north face