Palcho Monastery, Buddhist monastery in Gyangzê County, China
Palcho Monastery is a Buddhist monastery in Gyangzê County composed of several interconnected buildings with white walls, red trim, and traditional Tibetan architectural features. The complex is anchored by the Kumbum, a towering structure with 108 chapels arranged in a three-dimensional mandala design.
The monastery was established in 1418 and became a center where monks from different Buddhist schools gathered to study and practice. Its long history of religious learning made it an important site in Tibetan Buddhism.
The monastery houses several Buddhist traditions side by side, each with its own chapels and practices within the same complex. The arrangement reflects a philosophy of coexistence rather than separation.
Visitors need permits to enter the monastery, so plan ahead and check local requirements before your visit. Guided tours in several languages help explain the religious art and architectural details.
This is the only place in Tibet where three Buddhist schools—Sakya, Gelug, and Kagyu—operated at the same time in one location. This unusual arrangement shows how different religious traditions managed to share sacred space.
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