Tingri Earthquake: A 3.1 magnitude earthquake with epicenter depth of 8 kilometer just happens in Tingri County, Shigartse, Tibet at 20:12pm 19th August 2015
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The new bridge to Yarlungtzanpo Grand Canyon
The new bridge to Yarlungtzanpo Grand Canyon is called “Lu-Xia Bridge”, and is now completed and being used since 2015 July 28th.
Previously, there were two choices of entering the Yarlungtzanpo Grand Canyon from Nyingchi, one is to take the boat from Luxia Ferry and get to the Grand Cayon, which is slow; another one is about 150km long; with this new bridge, the distance is now about 60km shorter, which helps to save 1.5 hours;
2015 Shoton Festival
2015 Shoton Festival will be held from August 14th to 20th, it lasts 7 days as per its tradition; In addition to traditinal programs of “Tangkar Unfolding”, “Tibetan Opera” , and “Yogurt”; there will be other programs of Thangka Art Expo, Everest photo exhibition, exhibition of Tibetan cuisine
Dongzhulin Monastery
Dongzhulin Monastery was built in 1667, and at one time housed treasures which rivaled Potala Palace, such as: gilded Maitreya, statue of White Drolma, Buddhas of Three Worlds, the ruler of the hell, Manjusri, 18 Arhats statues and Tangkar scroll paintings depicting Buddhist stories. Unfortunately it was badly damaged during the Cultural Revolution and the current structure was restored in 1987.
Brief
Previously, it was named “Chong-Chong-Gang Monastery” that means a monastery by a crane lake. Originally, It was a Kagyu Pa tradition monastery. It converted to Gelu Pa merging with other 7 small monasteries nearby and finally becoming Dongzhulin Monastery in 1667. In the late Qing Dynasty, there were over 700 lamas and 10 Living Buddhas in this monastery.
Buildings
The Assembly Hall of Dongzhulin Monastery was designed in earth and wooden structure with 4 floors and 82 thick pillars. On the first floor, Tsongkhapa and his two disciples (Damarenqing and Kezhujie) are enshrined.
Some other enshrined Buddhism deities on the same floor are Sakyamuni, Avalokitecvara (Goddess of Mercy), Bhodisattva Manjusri, Bhodisattva Samantabhadra and Drolma.
The chanting hall, Buddhist chapels and chambers for Buddhist images are settled on the 2nd and 3rd floors. Among of those, the most impressive statues are the statue of Qingba Buddha (Maitreya) and the statue of Juewolakang (Sakyamuni).
Tangkar
It also houses a huge Tangkar with 8.5 meters long and 5.2 meters wide, and it is unfolded on the Gedong Festival in the 12th month of Tibetan calendar.
Dongzhulin Monastery sits on the slop of a mountain that overlook the beautiful Jinsha River Gorge (Yangtze). It is not well-known, more popular with the local Tibetans. The Mask Dancing Ceremony attracts thousands of followers each year.
Dongzhulin Monastery Data
Address
On the east Slop of Nan-Yong-Gan-Ding, Shu-Song village, Deqen County
Opening hour
Full day
Altitude
3,000 meters
Entrance fee
RMB 30 per person
How to get to there
Usually, the first step is to take flights or land transportation to arrive in Shangri La city, the capital town of Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. There are about more than 15 buses leave for or passing through Benzilan county everyday. Dongzhulin Monastery is about 23 kilometers away from Benzilan county
Be advised There is no direct public bus to this monastery from Benzilan, so you will have to use local minibus which usuaolly charges RMB 30 per person one way
Di Qing Airport
Address: No. 1, Shen-Ying Road
IATA Code: DIG
Altitude: 3,280 meters above sea level
Contact: +86 887 822 9916
Shangri La city Bus Station
Address: Xiangbala Avenue
Phone: +86 887 822-3501
Altitude: 3,080 meters above sea level
Working hours: 06:00 am – 19:00 pm
2015 Machu horse-racing festival
Machu county is traditionally regarded as the southeast end of Amdo. it is also thought the first township of Yellow river, the 9th Gesar Horse-racing festival (2015 Machu horse-racing festival) will be held from 13th to 17th;
The horse-racing include Classic & Professional Competition during this 5 days
Classic competition: Local horses from He-chu area only
- August 13th: Speed racing – 3,000 meters
- August 14th: Endurance racing – 5,000 meters
- August 15th: Speed racing – 1,000 meters
- August 16th: Endurance racing – 10,000 meters
Professional competition: No horse species restriction
- August 15th: Endurance racing – 6,000 meters
- August 16th: Speed racing – 2,000 meters
The total prize money of two Classic & Professional competetion is 1.2 million RMB including taxes
2015 Yushu horse racing festival
2015 Yushu horse racing festival will be held in the grasslad of Yushu county from July 25th to 29th
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Rabgya monastery
Rabgya monastery is also known as “Tashi Kundeling monastery“. It is an important branch of Sera monastery, found in 1769 AD by a Mongol, whom was named Arik Geshe, and he was from Kokonor lake.
Brief
In the period from 1952-1958, the monastery occupied an area of 700 acres, including 12 halls, and more than 1,100 dorms for Lama, monk students; and one Palace for Panchen Lama. There were about over 1,300 monks in this monastery, unfortunately it was damaged badly in the 1960s’ of 20th century, after repairing since 1980, it now has recovered, and there are 5 halls, and more than 182 dorms
Buildings
The building of this monastery have been rebuilt during the late 1990’s of 20th century; but some old religion artworks still remain, including a handfull pillar carpets. The assembly hall has a trilingual inscription above the door, and contains 64 carpeted pillars. The broad cliff behind the monastery is known as Mt. Khyung-Ngon (Blue Garuda). The top of this mountain offers a great view of the Yellow River.
Location
It is situated in the north bank of Yellow River in Rabgya county, facing west to Yellow River, it is about 70 kilometers from the capital town of Xia-Da-Wu of Golog Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, it is Gelug pa tradition, as to be a sub-branch of Sera monastery.
Rabgya monastery Data
Address
Add: La Jia village, Maqin County
Opening hour
Full day
Entrance fee
Free of charge
Altitude
2,600 meters
How to get to there
There is no direct bus to this monastery; there are buses leaving from Xining or Tongde or Guide for Da Wu town that will pass through this monastery, Or by chartered vehicle to get here;
Distance from Rabgya to…
The Four Major Sects of Tibetan Buddhism
Tibetan Buddhism Icons
Tibet First Folk Museum opens
July 3rd, the first Tibetan Folk Museum – “Qun Jue” Museum of ancient weapons opened. The museum is located in Maizugongka county near Lhasa, there 7 exhibiting areas, including pottery, bronzes, ethnic clothing, appliances, life, religious culture, revolutionary relics, weapons and other seven exhibition areas, a total of 1613 collections.
