Ganden Monastery

Located around 46km east of Lhasa, Ganden Monastery is an ideal day trip from the city, and a great experience for those wanting to learn more about Tibetan Buddhism. With a magnificent setting on top of Wangbur Mountain at a dizzying altitude of 4300m, the location offers panoramic views overlooking the Kyi Chu Valley. One of the first and largest monasteries in Tibet, Ganden was founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa the revered master of the Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) order of Tibetan Buddhism. One of the highlights of a visit to this monastery is the Ganden Kora, a pilgrimage hike circumnavigating the holy sanctuary with panoramic views of the Lhasa River Plains and mountains beyond. On this gentle 45 minute you will come across numerous shrines in rock fissures, fluttering prayer flags, a sky burial site, yak butter offerings and devoted pilgrims prostrating along the way.