Litang Chode is also known as Litang Chode Ganden Tubchen Chokhorling, in Chinese Pin-Yin “Chang Qing Chun Ke Er Si” . It is located on the slope of Moraca Mountain in the north of the town.
Brief
Originally, it was a Black-Sect (Bon) Monastery. During the Wan-Li Period of Ming Dynasty (1580 AD), the third Dalai Lama – Suo-Nan Gyatso changed it to the Yellow-Sect (Gelug Pa) monastery and had it Consecrated. It is the oldest and largest Yellow-Sect (Gelug Pa) monastery in the east Tibet of Kham.
Meaning of monastery
“Chang Qing Chun Ke Er” is indeed the pronunciation of Tibetan language, the first two words “Chang Qing” means Maitreya Buddha (the future Buddha); the “Chun Ke Er ” means the Dharma Chakra that is always turning, and with fine truth forever.
Building, relics, and tradition
Litang Chode is built on the mountain covering an area of more than 500 acres with more than 4,300 monks. Among of whom, about 800 are the permanent residents.
The main hall is located at the highest point in the center of the temple. Since the end of 20th Century, this monastery has been rebuilt and maintained under the support of local authority, the temple has restored Maitreya Hall, Asemblly Hall, Thousand Buddha Hall, Xianggen Dormitory, Jinding Red Palace; One 19-meter-high Maitreya Buddha and the Three Thousand Buddha Halls were donated by the locals.
There are unique Buddhist murals on the girders in the temple. The Golden Dome Palace features the spiritual towers of the 1st and 2nd Xiang-Gen Rinpoche. The gilded tower is engraved with various patterns and is also inlaid with Red turquoise, Dzi Bead, Agate, coral, amber and other treasures. There are also the footprints of the 3rd and 5thDalai Lama in the temple. If lucky, the ancient Buddhist scriptures of “Ganggyur” & “Dangyur” can be viewed.
Litang Chode Data
Address
Add : Moraca Mountain, North Litang
Opening hour
Full Day
Altitude
4,100 meters
Entrance fee
None
How to get to there
Litang Chode is located in the upwind area in the north of Litang Town; the nearest airport is Daocheng Yading Airport;
The fastest way to reach Litang Temple is to take a flight from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading Airport and transfer to a car for about 1.5 hours to reach Litang Chode. The total time is about 6 hours, including the waiting time at the airport;
But there is a big risk in doing so – Since the altitude of Litang Chode is 4100 meters, to travel from low altitude to a place with altitude of 4100 meters in a short time, travelers are likely to suffer from high altitude hypoxia.
Then it is recommended to start from Chengdu by land and use 2-3 days to avoid problems caused by high altitude.
Daocheng Yading Airport
Contact: +86 836 572 3333
IATA code: DCY
Altitude: 4,411 meters
Cha Dian Zi Bus Station
Add: No. 289, West 3rd ring road;
Contact: +86 28 87506610
Altitude: 460 meter
Litang Chode Major Events
Litang Horse-Racing Festival: from 28th to 31st July (This is the main one)
Maoya Tent Puja : In Maoya grassland, on the 10th month of Tibetan calendar
Lamp Festival : in Litang Chode and Leng-gu monastery, on 25th on the 10th month of Tibetan calendar
Tibetan New Year Festival: from 1st to 15th day on the 1st month of Tibetan calendar
Mai-Lang-Qu-Ba Puja : from 15th to 16th on the 1st month of Tibetan calendar
Banish Evil Festival: on 19th of the 12th month of Tibetan calendar
Mountain Festival: In the August, this festival is organized by villages, no certain time to be confirmed
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