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By Ryan-China Travel Expert, 八月 16, 2010

Located at the foot of Gambo Utse Mountain in the western suburbs of Lhasa, the Drepung Monastery is considered one of Tibet's three great monasteries.Drepung Monastery was once Tibet's largest and most influential monastery,with over10,000 monks. Today, Drepung houses about 700 monks and attracts pilgrims and visitors from all over the world.

Drepung Monastery was founded in 1416. It was the home of Dalai Lamas before the Potala Palace was built in the 17th century.Resembling a heap of white rice from a distance,it was dubbed 'Monastery of the Collecting Rice' in Tebeatan.

The ground of the monastery is organized on the caves and temples for Jamyang Qoigyi, together with two magnificent white pagodas. The buildings of the monastery are centered on these pagodas, The major buildings are Ganden Potrang, Coqen Hall, the four Zhacangs (or Tantric colleges), and Kamcuns.

The Ganden Potrang, in the southwest corner of the monastery, was built under the supervision of the second Dalai Lama Gendun Gyaco around the year of 1530. It became the residence of the second, third, fourth, and the fifth Dalai Lamas. After the fifth Dalai Lama moved to the Potala Palace, it was served as the meeting place for the local regime for both politics and religion.

The Coqen Hall is located in the center of the monastery. In front of it, is a square occupying an area of about 1,850 square meters (2213 square yards). Stepping on the wide stone stairs, you will see the grand Entrance Hall. Inside is the Sutra Hall supported by 183 pillars, and spanning 1,850 square meters. Amongst the colorful decorations, there are fine and vivid statues of Buddha. The second story houses collections of precious sutras. There are a set of Gangyur Tripitaka written in gold powder, and woodcarving sutras of the Qing Dynasty. On the third story is enshrined a huge bronze statues of Qamba Buddha, which is said to be the future appearance of the Qamba Buddha in his 8th year. It is worshiped by the disciples of Buddhism.

The monastery is composed of 4 Zhacangs, functioning as the sutra-learning places and the subordinate organization. Loseling Zhacang is the largest with the most lamas. The Loseling, Gomang, and Deyang Zhacang focus on the Esoteric Buddhism, while the Ngaba Zhacang on the Exotoric Buddhism.

Several courtyards in the dense forests on the grounds of the monastery are used for monks to debate on the sutras. The courtyards sites are always chosen near Zhacang and various trees are grown. After enduring the debating period in both Zhacang and the entire monastery, the winner will obtain the qualification to attend the test for the senior degree of Geshi.


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By Ryan-China Travel Expert, 八月 14, 2010

Norbulingka Palace ,about 3km west of the Potala Palac e, is the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama. Norbulingka meaning 'Treasure Park' covers an area of around 360000 sq. m. and is considered to be the biggest man made garden in Tibet. You will be amazed to know that there are more than 370 rooms inside its premises. It is called summer palace because after the 7th Lama, Dalai Lamas used to visit here during summers to hold religious and government related activities.

Norbulingka consists of several palace complexes, such as the Kelsang Potrang, Tsokyil Potrang, Golden Linka and Takten Migyur Potrang. Each palace complex is divided into three sections – the palace section, the section in front of the palaces and the woods.Kelsang Potrang, named after the Seventh Dalai Lama, is a three-storey palace with halls for worshipping Buddha, bedrooms, reading rooms and sanctuaries. Tsokyil Potrang, when the Eighth Dalai Lama was in power, is considered to be the most attractive in Norbulingka. Khamsum Zilnon built during that time is really a striking pavilion of the Han architecture style, where Dalai Lamas enjoyed Tibetan opera. In 1922, a wealthy benefactor had Golden Linka and Chensel Potrang constructed for the Thirteenth Dalai Lama. Meanwhile, a lot of flowers, grass and trees were planted. In 1954, the Fourteenth Dalai Lama built Takten Migyur Potrang, which is also called the New Summer Palace, means 'Eternal Palace' in Tibetan. The architecture has combined the characteristics of temple and villa and is more magnificent than other palaces. The exquisite murals in the palace are well worth a mention and visit. The murals in the northern hall show the kind, calm Sakyamuni and his eight contemplative disciples. However, the murals in the southern hall vividly tell the development of Tibet in comic strips.

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By Ryan-China Travel Expert, 八月 14, 2010

Prince Gongs Mansion is the largest 'siheyuan' courtyard in the world.This complex is covered a total area of 60,000 square meters. Over half of this is the residential portion, while the reminder is an garden to the rear.

The Prince Gongs Mansion is divided by three roads,creating an eastern area,middle area and western area.The mansion is constituted of more than forty houses. The Western-style Gate, the Grand Theater House and the 'fu' stele are the three uniqueness in Prince Gongs Mansion.

The Western-style Gate is the perfect harmanization of western style with ancient China carvings.The Grand Theater House was total built by the timber wood and still stand firmly over 100 years .The character 'fu' carving on the 8 meter long stele is the largest 'fu' character in Prince Gongs Mansion.Moreover, this character is the copy of the emperor of Kangxi's handwriting.

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