Charming Tibet, Tibetan Buddhist Temple - Zandan Monastery

Zandan Monastery is located in Yala Town, Suo County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region. It was built in 1668 during the time of the Fifth Dalai Lama by Awang Losang Gyatso. It is a subordinate temple of Drepung Monastery in Lhasa and is the earliest Gelugpa monastery and the largest ancient Buddhist architectural complex in northern Tibet. The entire monastery is built along the mountain, with a magnificent and imposing structure. It is divided into two architectural groups, red and white, and from a distance, it resembles the Potala Palace, hence it is known as the 'Little Potala Palace.' The monastery is divided into two parts: the Red Palace and the White Palace. The Red Palace in the center is mainly used for worshiping Buddha and religious affairs, while the White Palace on both sides and at the back is the main living area for monks. The monastery houses a large number of Buddha statues, murals, Tibetan scriptures, and printed books, all of which have high cultural and artistic value. Among them is a Jampa Buddha statue about 6 meters high and numerous Thangkas. The history of Zandan Monastery can be traced back to the 17th century when the Fifth Dalai Lama, with the help of Mongolian Gushri Khan's forces, implemented a puritanical policy in eastern Tibet, destroying many Bon monasteries and forcing other sects' monasteries to convert to Gelugpa. Zandan Monastery was newly built on the confiscated properties of seven non-Gelugpa monasteries. Additionally, Yala Township on the west side of Yaladuo Mountain, where Zandan Monastery is located, is the hometown of King Gesar's consort. Legend has it that the monastery was originally intended to be built exactly like the Potala Palace, but some of the blueprints were lost on the way back, so it is not entirely the same as the Potala Palace. If you wish to visit Zandan Monastery, you can refer to the following information: - Address: Village 4, Yala Town, Suo County, Nagqu City, Tibet Autonomous Region - Transportation: From the county seat of Suo County, drive 1 kilometer along National Highway 317 towards Baqing to reach. - Ticket: Free - Opening hours: Open all year round - Suggested visiting time: 1-3 hours When visiting Zandan Monastery, please follow the monastery's rules and etiquette, and respect the local religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Also, since the monastery is located at a high altitude, it is recommended to take precautions against altitude sickness in advance.