Tsanden Monastery in Sog County, Nagqu
Chinese Name: 赞丹寺
English Name: Tsanden Monastery
Location: Located in Sog County(索县), Nagqu Prefecture(那曲市), Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Admission Fee: Free
Opening Hours: All day
About Tsanden Monastery
Sanden Monastery in northern Tibet was built at the top of Yaladuo Hill of Nagchu area of north Tibet in 1668 as an affiliated temple of Drepung Monastery in Lhasa. It looks like the famous Potala Palace in Lhasa from far away, so Tsanden Monastery is also known as “small Potala”.
History and Development of Tsanden Monastery
It was said that the temple was planned to build as the Potala, but some blueprints were lost on the way back to Yala Village which is just located at the west side of the Yaladuo Hill and is said to be the hometown of the wife of King Gesar. Thus, the Tsanden Monastery does not look exactly like the Potala Palace.
Main Attractions- Tsanden Monastery, Activities
The Tsanden Monastery covers an area of 25,975 square meters and comprises of a white palace and a red palace. The red palace in the middle is used for housing Buddhas and holding religious activities. The white palace at the two sides and back side is lamas’ living area. There are many figures of Buddhas, murals, scriptures and other valuable cultural relics and artworks.
Every May, July and December on Tibetan calendar, this monastery would hold some important religious activities. During this period, local Tibetans and monks from other temples would come to the Tsanden Monastery to enjoy the ceremonies.
Attraction Transportation
There are only one train running through Sog County which passes over 200 kilometers. It would be better to take a charted bus or car to reach to Sog County.
Attraction Travel Tips
1. Traveling Hours: 1~2 hours
2. Traveling Seasons: All year
3. High Altitude Sickness Avoiding: Bring enough water and some thick clothes, eating more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and so on.
4. Pay attention to respect the local customers in the monastery..
