Ganden - tips by travel authority Howard Hillman

Ganden Monastery
travel wonder in China

Why the
Ganden Monastery
is special

The Ganden Monastery has a rich Buddhist history. It was built in 1409 by the celebrated Buddhist leader Tasongkhopa and majestically sits on a mountain slope.

Ganden Monastery
tips & insights

Overview

Ganden building complex
It includes two Buddhist religious colleges and extensive dormitories for the resident monks.

Monk population
Ganden Monastery once housed thousands of monks. Today the count is several hundred.

Restoration
Ganden Monastery has been largely restored after having been severely damaged. The restoration work continues.

Chief highlight

The main assembly hall is the main draw of the sprawling Ganden Monastery. The room is supported by over a hundred columns and is large enough to accommodate several thousand chanting monks.

Other highlights

They include The tomb of Tasongkhopa (in Serdung college) and the Ngam Cho Khang chapel (Tasongkhopa supposedly taught his disciples in this room). The Ganden Monastery also has some notable murals and sculptures.

Pilgrimage route

Hikers should reserve a few hours for a walk on the pilgrimage route near Ganden. It reaches an altitude of 4,500 meters (15,000 feet) and offers breathtaking views of the river valley below. The path is picturesquely lined with prayer flags fluttering in the brisk mountain wind. A moving stream of devoted pilgrims adds mystique to your hiking experience.

Name

The name Ganden means "paradise" in Tibetan.

Nearest major city

The Ganden Monastery is 45 kilometers (28 miles) east of Lhasa, the capital of Tibet (Xizang is its Chinese name). See my map below for the general location of Tibet.

Pronunciation guide

Ganden: gehn-den