Drongtse Monastery, Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Tsang region, Tibet, China

Drongtse Monastery, also called Zhongze, is a Gelug monastery in Zhongze Township, Gyantse County, built against a hillside on a rocky eminence about 91 meters above the village. Its full name is Richong Gazhi, and its buildings cover 5,641 square meters. The assembly hall was rebuilt in the 1980s, but many main buildings remain in ruins.

Drongtse Monastery was founded in 1406 by the yogin Rinchen Gyatso, fulfilling a prophecy of Tsongkhapa; other accounts name Lhatsun Chenpo as founder. It became a leading Gelug monastery of Tsang and was later adopted as a branch monastery of Tashilhunpo. The 32nd Ganden Tripa, Tsultrim Chopel (1561-1623), was educated here as a boy. It was almost totally destroyed during the Cultural Revolution, and the assembly hall was rebuilt in the 1980s.

The assembly hall holds ancient gilt statues, including a reproduction of Jowo Shakyamuni made by an Indian artist and historical images of the 5th Dalai Lama. These works reflect artistic connections between Tibet and other Buddhist regions.

The monastery is located roughly 19 kilometers northwest of Gyantse and accessible via the Southern Friendship Highway leading toward Shigatse. Visitors should prepare for uneven paths on the grounds and consider the high altitude.

A small chapel behind the monastery displays rock-carved images of Buddhist deities Padmasambhava, Tara, and Amitayus in the mountain face. These stone carvings are carefully integrated into the natural landscape and often overlooked by visitors.