Last updated 2026-10-07 — Gyantse is located about 70 kilometers southeast of Shigatse. The Chinese name "Gyantse" means "the summit of the castle of victory." The Palcho Monastery is situated in the western part of Gyantse, and the Gyantse Kumbum Stupa is the main structure within the monastery. The Gyantse Kumbum Stupa is hailed as the crown jewel among Tibetan stupas. Construction of the stupa began in 1414 AD and took ten years to complete. It stands 42.2 meters tall, with a base covering an area of 2,200 square meters. Inside the stupa, there are 77 chapels and niches, housing a total of up to 100,000 Buddha statues, which is why it is also known as the "Ten Thousand Buddha Stupa." The Gyantse Kumbum Stupa features a design that gradually tapers upward with each level, showcasing exquisite craftsmanship and meticulous composition, making it a treasured gem among Tibetan stupas. Interestingly, each small chapel inside the stupa has a spacious interior but a very low doorway—only about 1.4 to 1.5 meters high. Our tour guide, Zhao Di, told me this was to prevent zombies from entering, as they can't bend over and would thus be blocked at the door. Though I didn’t spot any zombies, I did bump my head on the low doorways several times.