Being the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Guihua Monastery, is one of the famous monasteries in the Kang region. The monastery is located near Shangri -La County, at the foot of Foping Mountain.
Construction of the monastery began in 1679 and was completed two years later. The monastery seems like a group of ancient castles and is composed of two lamaseries, Zhacang and Jikang. The gilded copper roof endows the monastery with strong Tibetan features and the 108 (an auspicious number in Buddhism) columns downstairs also feature the monastery with characteristics of Han nationality. The main halls in the monastery are magnificent, and on both the left and the right sides are wonderful frescos, depicting Buddhist tales and legends. The inside-halls are exquisite with cloisters running through. The cloisters are all decorated with beautiful sculptures and consummate frescos.
The monastery is full of treasures. There are a lot of golden figures of Buddha josses, golden lamps, Tibetan lections, silver censers and so on. All of these are wonderful collections accumulated from each dynasty. They are precious productions made by people of both Tibet nationality and Han nationality.
Songzanlin Monastery has another alias - 'the little Potala Palace ', so named because the whole monastery is in the traditional style with mysterious atmosphere. In 1679, Dalailama chose this place by divination, and it went on to become the uppermost public place in Yunan which features the particular local characteristics. Annually, the Gedong Festival is celebrated here by the Tibetans. Pious believers, with their knees and foreheads knocking the ground at every step, come here to pray.
The monastery is situated in the high altitude region over 3,300 meters (about 10,827 feet) high. It snows even in August, and has a rainy season that runs from June through September. Therefore, spring and summer are the best seasons for people to visit it.
Bus route: There are autobuses in Zhongdian County which can take you to this beautiful scenic spot directly, and the buses No.3 can also take you there without stop.
| Admission Fee: | CNY 30 |
| Recommended Time for a Visit: | Two hours |
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Q & A on Songzanlin Monastery
1.
Sep. 5,2009 20:24 Reply
Mr.joe(Canada ) said:
It is true that while taking the number 3 bus pass the check point they will ask you to "xia che" (get off the bus) to pay the entrance fee. That being said, I don't know if they will force you off if you refuse. The bus route ends at the monastery so no need to communicate where you are going if you are coming from the old city to the monastery.
2.
Jul. 25,2009 02:02 Reply
Mr.Mi-chel(Germany) said:
i just walked around the checkpoint after complaining about the 85RMB at the ticket counter :D
It looks like they just ripped down the middle part of the monastery.
i was a bit disappointed but still...if you don't go...you know
Aug. 16,2009 07:16
Ms.Fran(Switzerland) replied:
I just want to tell you that the monks who are living in the monastery don't see any yuan of this exorbitant entrance fee, it all goes to the government (the monks told this to a friend of mine). I find this very disturbing as Buddhism clearly states that no money should be charged for anything related to this religion. The Chinese government doesn't support religions but takes a lot of money from tourists for seeing the monastery. I didn't visit the monastery as I don't want to support this system.
3.
May. 30,2009 11:54 Reply
Ms.Mamo(USA) said:
They take you off the bus if you look foreign and force you to pay the 85 rmb...(at a checkpoint before the monastery)
If it goes to the monastery I guess it was okay.
Jul. 5,2009 07:38
Ms.Aimee(China) replied:
It need to pay 85 RMB and to take the bus regardless you're foreign or Chinese.
4.
Apr. 27,2009 06:23 Reply
Mr.static(uk) said:
the entry charge is Y85 (27/4/09) but can be dodged by back tracking up the road and taking the first right. a little cross country but you get in free
5.
Apr. 21,2009 12:02 Reply
Mr.mari(Russia ) said:
bus 3 has a final stop just opposite the monastery. you will not make a mistake.