Purbuchok Hermitage, Buddhist monastery in Lhasa Valley, China
Purbuchok Hermitage sits in the northeastern part of the Lhasa Valley and comprises three main sections: a temple, a library, and a courtyard designed for philosophical debates. The entire site rests at an elevation of about 4,600 meters (15,000 feet) and is surrounded by hills named after three Buddhist protective deities.
The hermitage was founded in 1706 by Purchok Rinpoche and served as a center for Buddhist study and practice from its early years. After being destroyed in 1959, major reconstruction efforts began in 1984 and eventually restored the monastery to its current state.
The monastery is home to a community of monks who carry out traditional Buddhist rituals and study philosophical texts as part of their daily practice. This place marks an important stop on a sacred pilgrimage route for believers visiting the region.
This location sits at high elevation, so visitors should allow time to adjust to the altitude and bring warm clothing for all seasons. It is wise to arrive early in the day to have enough time to explore the site and descend before nightfall.
The site is known for pilgrims who perform traditional circumambulations of the surrounding hills, which are revered as sacred protective places. This practice connects the location physically to a larger spiritual network across the region.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
