Labrang Monastery

Labrang Monastery is one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug Pa of Tibetan Buddhism, and is located in Xiahe County of Gansu province, which was in the traditional Tibetan Cultural Area of Amdo.

Brief

It was founded in 1709 by the first Jamyang Zhaypa, Ngawang Tsondru, and also a “home” to the largest number of monks outside Tibet Autonomous Region. It used to house more than 4,000 monks.

Destruction and reconstruction

As other monasteries and historic site, Labrang was severely damaged during the Cultural Revolution in the 60’s of 20^th century. And now, its assembly Hall was rebuilt in 1990. The monastery’s white walls and gilded roofs feature a blend of Tibetan and Indian Vihara architectural styles. It contains 18 halls, six institutes of training , a huge gilded stupa, a courtyard for debating, and holds about 60,000 sutras. Together with Kumbum monastery, it is Gelug Pa’s most important monastery outside the Tibetan Autonomous Region.

Buddhism Museum

In addition to the chapel, and temples, Labrang also contains one Buddhism Museum with a large collection of Buddha statues, sutras and murals. One printing house has been built, which is the 3^rd one after the ones in Derge and Kumbum. Books that are printed in Tibetan language books are also available for purchase, categories including: Tibet medicine, Tibet calendar, Tibet culture, Tibet Language, Tibet music…etc,

Modern development

Nowadays, Labrang monastery has become an vital travl attractions, it apperanace and religious have been attracted to visitors across china as well as the Europe and America. There are religious activities organized by this monastery throughout a year, among of which festival in January and June are the most common ones, usually with programs of Thangkar Buddha Image -unfolding, sutra enchanting, praying, …etc;

How to get to there

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The closest airport to Labrang monastery is Gannan Xiahe Airport, which 72 km north from Labrang monastery. Due to the matching of Xiahe Airport’s flights and your itinerary, Lanzhou Zhongchuan Airport can be used as your backup plan

This 320-kilometer-long, high-quality highway between Lanzhou and Xiahe County has shortened the travel time by car from previously 8-9 hours to about 4 hours now.

By Bus

• From Lanzhou Bus South Terminal : departure at : 07:30 am, 08:30 am, 09:30 am, 14:00 pm, 15:00 pm, 5 buses leaving for Xiahe, about 4 hours’ drive, with rate RMB 75.00 per person
• From Hezuo Bus North Terminal : one bus departure for Xiahe at every 30 minutes from 07:00 am to 16:00 pm , about 1 hour’ drive, with rate RMB 15.00 per person
• From Langmu Si town : one bus departure for Xiahe at 14:00 pm , about 4 hours’ drive, with rate RMB 70.00 per person

Overland journey extension

The well-paved National Road connects this religious site to Chengdu to its South. The well-paved road curves in the mountains about 950 km to Chengdu. En route, there are numerous sites to visit. Langmu Si, Jiuzhai Valley, Huanglong, and the first bend of Yellow river…etc;

Accommodation

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The best hotel in the town is a 4 star hotel. In general, there are more than 40 hotels, guesthouse in Xiahe, where Labrang is seated; room rate from RMB 30.00 per bed per night up to over RMB 1,000.00 per room per night; however, an early booking is recommended in high travel season or Labrang festival time

Rrecommended hotels in Xiahe Town….

The Four Major Sects of Tibetan Buddhism

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