Nyethang Drolma Lhakhang Temple, Ancient Buddhist temple in Qüxü County, Tibet, China

Nyethang Drolma Lhakhang is a small two-story temple of 11th-century Tibetan design, oriented east, with a long open porch of regularly spaced windows. Inside are three chapels: the Drolma Lhakhang with 21 Tara statues, the Namgyal Lhakhang holding a 10-metre victory stupa, and the Kubum Lhakhang. The south hall, the Coffin Tower Hall of Atiśa, covers 359 square metres.

Atisha founded the temple and taught the Four Tantras to physicians there before his death at Nyethang in 1054. His pupil Dromtön raised funds to build the temple in his memory, and in 1057 he moved Atisha's remains to Reting Monastery, placing them in a stupa made by an Indian artist. The present building reflects a reconstruction led by the Reting Rinpoche in the 1930s, with the main hall rebuilt in the 1990s.

The temple is named for Tara: the main chapel holds 21 statues of her, each with different dress, colour and form, and Green Tara is the central figure. Tibetan tradition holds that the 21 Taras emanate from Avalokiteshvara and protect people from eight dangers, including lions, fire, snakes, floods and robbers.

The temple sits about 33 kilometers from Lhasa and can be reached via the Qüshü-Nepal Highway. Before visiting, check on local conditions and access, as this helps ensure a smooth trip to explore the Buddhist architecture and religious objects housed within.

The temple survived the Cultural Revolution because Premier Zhou Enlai intervened to protect it. This unusual intervention allowed ancient manuscripts and clay statues housed here to remain intact through a tumultuous period.