Brief information on Kumbum Monastery  

Kumbum Monastery (also known as Ta’er Monastery) is the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Yellow Hat sect of Tibetan Buddhism. Located in Huangzhong County, 26 kilometers from Qinghai Province’s capital of Xining, Kumbum is one of the six great monasteries of the Yellow Hat. After its completion, the monastery gradually formed its own monastic religious and political organizations as well as systematic financing. It’s particularly noted for its cultural activities, including the monastery fair, during which monks can learn scriptures and enjoy recreation.

Kumbum Monastery was built in 1379 during the Qing Dynasty and now occupies an area of over 400,000 square meters (99 acres). Its grounds include many temples—representing both Tibetan and Han architectural styles—scattered on both slopes of a valley of Lotus Mountain. Of all these, the largest and most famous is the Grand Gold-Tile Hall, located in the center of the monastery. It has exquisite and glittering green walls and golden tiles, and as a complex that includes other buildings, represents a unique blend of Han and Tibetan building techniques. At the center of the Grand Gold-Tile Hall, there is an 11-meter-high Grand Silver Tower where it is said that Tsongkhapa was born. What’s more impressive is that all the sculptures are carved out of yak butter, which is a uniquely Tibetan art tradition that goes back 1300 years.

The vivid yak butter sculptures, colorful murals and exquisite barbola are known as the Three Great Arts of Kumbum Monastery.

*You can download the bilingual note to show it to a taxi driver or someone else to find your way to Kumbum Monastery if you plan to visit Kumbum Monastery and have language problems.

   

Hours:08:00 – 17:00
Location:Xining , Qinghai Province
Address:About 27 southwest of Xining
Prices:CNY80