Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (松贊林寺) @ Shangri-la

Date: 24/12/2008
County: Shangri-la, China
Remarks: Day 2, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (松赞林寺)

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery is one of the most important Tibetan monasteries in  Southwest China. It is situated 5km from the city of Zhongdian and is more than 300 years old. Built by the Fifth Dalai Lama, Ganden Sumtseling Monastery had undergone a massive restoration after the extensive damage it had in the Cultural Revolution. It is now the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan with around 600-700 monks living inside, and is regarded as one of the main attraction in Shangri-la.

 It is a huge complex and one have to walk up hundreds of stoned steps from the entrance gate before reaching the main temple. I guess it was because of the high altitude, I had already panted after walking a few stairs. It took me quite some time to finally reach the main temple. On the way up, there were a lot of Tibetan children in Ganden Sumtseling Monastery asking for money, following you throughout the walk. And they only asked the girls, but not boys!! I understand it is commonly found in many places, but I don't like it at all. They should be in school, having their education instead of begging for money. Gods know what their parents are thinking.

Ganden Sumtseling Monastery is huge and magnificent, spreading along the hill scope. It is also known as the Little Potala Palace since it is modeled on Lhasa's Potala Palace. There are Tibetan prayer wheels along the way. Remember to give the prayer wheels a spin (spin clockwise). Each spin represents you have chanted scriptures once. Like many other temples in China, photos are not allowed inside the temple. You can get a nice panorama view of Ganden Sumtseling Monaster in Gulong Village nearby.

PS1. Ganden Sumtseling Monastery don't have discount for students (Disappointed).