Langmu Temple

　　Introduction       Langmu Temple is a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, established in 1748 AD. Its founder and first abbot, Jiacai Gesang, was ordained and became a monk at the age of 11. At 27, he went to Lhasa to study Buddhism, apprenticing under eminent masters and becoming an outstanding scholar. At the age of 55, he served as the abbot of the Ganden Monastery in Tibet for eight years, during which he widely propagated Buddhist teachings. In 1747, at the age of 70 and with the permission of the 7th Dalai Lama, Kelzang Gyatso, he returned to his hometown to promote Buddhism and founded Langmu Temple.

　　      Over the generations, Langmu Temple has been established and expanded by successive abbots, and now includes colleges for study, tantra, astrology, medicine, and a scripture printing house. The temple’s stupas mainly include the relics stupa of the first abbot, said to contain hair and nails that appear as if newly grown. There are also stupas made from tens of thousands of taels of gold, silver, turquoise, pearls, and other materials for other abbots, as well as over 70 stupas of varying sizes and designs. The temple oversees ten branch monasteries and two meditation centers, has had 70 abbots over time, and in 1958 housed over 500 monks, making it one of the most renowned monasteries in the Amdo region.

　　      Langmu Temple is situated in a serene landscape, embraced by mountains and water, boasting exceptionally beautiful scenery. The mountains in front of the temple resemble a monk’s hat, while the eastern side features towering red sandstone cliffs, and the western side is marked by steep, rugged stone peaks. The resplendent temple complex and the scattered Tibetan-style homes are nestled among lush ancient cypresses and pines.

　　      Climbing up to the Red Rock Cliff offers a view of Langmu Temple that is vastly different from any other angle, as it provides a vista beyond the basin — the only perspective that rises above the sacred realm. The funeral rites here can be observed and photographed, but only with the consent of locals. It is advised not to attend such viewings out of mere curiosity, out of respect for the deceased. Entry to the funeral platform costs 10 yuan.

　　Transportation       There are direct buses from Hezuo Bus Station to Langmu Temple, with a fare of 16 yuan. If starting from Luqu, around 9:00 AM you can wait on Luqu’s main road and catch buses heading to Langmu Temple from Luqu, Lanzhou, Xiahe, and other places, with a fare of 13 yuan. A bus to Diebu departs from in front of Langmu Temple every day. If you miss it, you can take a local tractor to Chakou Bridge and wait; around 11:00 AM, numerous passing buses to Diebu begin operating.

　　 Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province