Wutun Monastery

Wutun monastery is composed by two monasteries that are about 10 minutes walk from one to another;

Brief

Lower Wutun

Palden Chokhorling Monastery, also known as “Lower Wutun monastery” (Sengeshong Yagotsang) was founded in 1385 AD, and covers an area of about 80 acres.

Lower Wutun Buildings

It has one assembly hall, one Maitreya Hall, one Tea-house..etc; It is the larger one of the two, and has a beautiful and old Thangka outside Maitreya Hall. Some Murals of this monastery survived by being covered with newspaper and political slogans. The monastery has a collection of more than 7,000 sutra including Kangyur and Tengyur; There are 8 white pagoda called “Enlightenment of eight pagodas”, all of which are built with fund that is donated by villagers

Upper Wutun

Gendun Puntsok Choling Monastery, also known as “Upper Wutun monastery” (Sengeshong Magotsang) was built in 1645, attached to Longwu monastery.

Upper Wutun Buildings

It has only one assembly hall, one Sakyamuni Buddha Hall and one Maitreya temple. its appearance is not with great look, instead, kind of normal; however, inside of the monastery is quite stunning with the lifelike statues of Buddhas in the dim light shining golden color; and almost all of space has been filled up with countless murals and Thangka

Art School

Both monasteries featuring “Art School”, it has spread to all areas of Amdo, even today; tradition of Thangkar art was severely damaged during 10 year culture revolutionary in last century; however, benefited by dedication of few elderly masters whom have successfully restored and handed down to new generations of Thangkar painting masters.

Its thangkar style are widely to follow Tibet, but infusion of culture including Mongolian, Tu poeple and chinese culture which distinct from Thangkars from other region, such as central Tibet, and Kham. This is thought to be one evidence on a old saying that orgin of Wutun people is from Western Tibet, probably a inherit branch of Guge Kingdom, and to have mingled over centuries with neighboring community

How to get to there

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Wutun monastery is about 7 kilometers from Tongren County. Road to this monastery is well paved, and there are regular buses connect this monastery and Tongren county. However, it is recommended to take a taxi or renting local vehicle to get this site

By bus 

The mini bus depart from Tongren county from 08:00am to the afternoon 17:30pm, the ride takes about 20 minutes at rate: RMB 7.00 per person

By rent vehicle 

It usually cost RMB 80.00 one way, 150.00 round trip

The Four Major Sects of Tibetan Buddhism

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