Narthang Monastery

Narthang Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist complex located west of Shigatse with surviving mud-brick foundations and fortress-like walls built in Mongolian architectural style. The buildings show typical features of a fortified religious settlement from this era.

The monastery was founded in 1153 and became one of the four major religious centers of the Tsang region. It developed alongside other important monasteries that shaped Tibetan Buddhist history.

The monastery served as an early printing center where Buddhist texts were produced for religious communities across the region. Monks here worked to make sacred writings accessible to followers seeking spiritual knowledge.

The site is accessible today with restored buildings visible alongside the original ruins of the complex. Visitors should prepare for uneven terrain and exposed foundations throughout the grounds.

The monastery housed a large collection of wooden printing plates that were specifically prepared for producing paper of various sizes. Monks managed this complex printing workshop with considerable care.