Tibet Features

Monasteries

Tsetang or Tsedang the capital of Shannan Prefecture is the third largest town in Tibet and an important administrative center. It is called the "the cradle of Tibetan Civilization" because it has played a significant role in the rise of Tibet dynasty and is the birthplace of the first Tibetans. Its mild weather and fertile land helped in settlement of Tibet dynasty. Tsedang literally means "monkey's playground" because the first Tibetans born here, were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. It is located 170km Southeast of Lhasa in the Yarlung Valley along the banks of the Yarlung River. This region is flourished with important historical landmarks such as Samye Monastery, Yumbu Lhakang Palace, Traduk Monastery and others.

Placed about 12 km south of Tsedang, it is the first palace as well as one of the earliest constructions in Tibet. This palace was built for the first recorded king of Tibet, Nyatri Tsedpo who was believed to descended from heaven. Yambulakhang in Tibetan means a palace on the leg of a doe. This five storied fortress is perched dramatically on a rocky outcropping of a mountain that has the outline of a doe. It was the summer palace of Songtsen Gompa and his wife before Norbulinka was completed. It converted into a monastery after the end of monarchy. Located on high perch it provides an impressive view of the entire fertile Yarlung Valley. The present construction is the exact replica of the old building as the original structure was destroyed during the cultural revolution.

Situated about 40km to the west of Tsedang across the Tsangpo River, it is the first monastery built by King Trisong Detsen in the 8th century. During the reign of this king, the birth of monk community began. This monastery is marvelous blend of three distinctive architectural styles that of India, China and Tibet. These three styles symbolize the source, stability and spread of the Buddhist faith in the respective areas.

Located about 4 miles south of central Tsedang it is one of the earliest Buddhist Temples in Tibetan history. It was built in 641 A.D. by King Songtsan Gampo. It is said that the king constructed this temple to suppress the ogress in order to prosper his kingdom. Later it became the winter palace of the King and Princess Wencheng in Tsedang. It houses the precious relics the Pear Tangkha, which is 2 meters in length, 1.2 meters in breadth, and is made of 29026 pears and different precious stones. It was made by Naidong during the reign of Pamodrupa Kingdom.