Sanga Monastery, Buddhist temple in Dêqên, China
Sanga Monastery is a Buddhist temple complex in Dêqên, built into mountain slopes and marked by red and white stone walls forming its perimeter. The buildings follow a traditional layout with courtyards and gathering halls positioned below the surrounding peaks.
The monastery was established as a center of Tibetan Buddhist tradition in the region and houses artifacts from the 17th century. These objects document a long history of the site as an important hub of faith and craftsmanship.
The monastery displays traditional Thangka paintings and sacred objects that reflect the spiritual life of its monks. Visitors can see how the community maintains its religious practice in this remote mountain setting.
The site is reachable by a mountain path that requires sturdy walking shoes and appropriate clothing for high altitude. Visitors should pace themselves slowly and allow time to adjust to the thinner air.
The monastery operates a greenhouse where monks grow vegetables at over 3,000 meters (9,843 ft) in elevation, showing a remarkable adaptation to the harsh environment. This practical farming is unusual for such a high-altitude location and demonstrates the community's self-sufficiency.
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