Buddhist monasteries in the Himalayan mountain ranges display religious and architectural traditions dating from the 11th century. The buildings house art collections, sacred texts, and cultural artifacts. Many monasteries function as religious schools and preserve Tibetan Buddhist teachings.
Sikkim, India
This Buddhist complex houses religious artworks, sacred texts and a school for Buddhist studies since the 16th century.
Arunachal Pradesh, India
The 17th century complex consists of 65 buildings with a library of old books and manuscripts.
Himachal Pradesh, India
A Buddhist monastery at 4166 meters altitude with a collection of thangkas, ancient wall paintings and weapons.
Ladakh, India
The 17th century monastery contains a copper statue of Buddha, tapestries and a collection of ancient masks.
Ladakh, India
The twelve-story complex from the 15th century follows the architectural form of the Potala Palace with red and white buildings.
Ladakh, India
The monastery was built into a cave and is accessible only by foot path. It houses approximately 70 monks.
Ladakh, India
The monastery stands on a hill at 4000 meters altitude, surrounded by mountains and glaciers of the Suru region.
Ladakh, India
The oldest monastery in Nubra contains a 32-meter high statue of Buddha Maitreya alongside ancient murals and religious texts.
Ladakh, India
The eleventh-century monastery contains colored wall paintings depicting Buddhist scenes and deities within its stone structures.
Ladakh, India
A Tibetan Buddhist monastery of the Sakya tradition, built in the fifteenth century on a mountain peak at 3800 meters elevation.
Tibet Autonomous Region, China
A central location of the Karma Kagyu lineage with a library of Tibetan texts and a school for Buddhist art.
Tibet Autonomous Region, China
The first Buddhist monastery of Tibet, built in the eighth century following a mandala design with central temple and four subsidiary temples.
Tibet Autonomous Region, China
The monastery houses one of Tibet's largest religious schools with significant collections of Buddhist texts and artworks.
Tibet Autonomous Region, China
A religious center of the Kagyu tradition that has practiced Tibetan burial ceremonies since the 12th century.
Nepal
The monastery serves as a center for Buddhist studies and preserves traditions of the Sherpa community.
Nepal
The Buddhist center stands at 3867 meters elevation and provides insights into the religious practices of the region.
Kathmandu, Nepal
A Buddhist center with meditation halls, a library and accommodation for 360 monks who study Tibetan philosophy here.
Shigatse, Tibet, China
Tibetan monastery with grey walls, a library containing 84000 scrolls and a collection of medieval religious art.
Zanskar, Ladakh, India
A Buddhist temple with prayer halls, a library and 17th century wall paintings in the Zanskar valley.
Sakti, Ladakh, India
A Nyingma school monastery with caves, shrines and a library containing Buddhist texts from the 8th century.
Ladakh, India
The Buddhist sanctuary at 3500 meters altitude contains two prayer halls and a 9-meter high Buddha figure carved in rock.
Ladakh, India
The 17th century palace houses a 12-meter copper Buddha statue and religious wall paintings.
Ladakh, India
The 11th century monastery sits at 3510 meters altitude and houses 150 monks in a barren mountain landscape.
Ladakh, India
The 15th century monastery contains a museum with Tibetan artifacts and a 23-meter tall gilded Buddha statue.
Ladakh, India
The temple sits on a hill overlooking the city of Leh. It was built in 1430 during the Namgyal Dynasty.
Tibet Autonomous Region, China
One of the 'great three' Gelug university monasteries of Tibet, destroyed in 1959 and rebuilt.
Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Formerly one of the world's largest monasteries, with a rich history dating back to the 15th century.
Tibet Autonomous Region, China
Historic seat of Panchen Lamas, with a grand statue of Maitreya Buddha and intricate murals.
Paro, Bhutan
This Buddhist temple from the 7th century contains historical statues and wall paintings. The architecture follows Tibetan construction style.
Tingri, Tibet, China
The monastery stands at 5000 meters on Mount Everest's north side. The complex includes a main hall and several prayer rooms.