Palkhor Monastery

　　     Palkhor Monastery is located in the northeast corner of Gyantse County, approximately over 100 kilometers east of Shigatse City. Its Tibetan abbreviation, “Palgor Dechen,” means “Auspicious and Joyful Monastery.” The monastery was first built in the second year of the Xuande reign during the Ming Dynasty under Emperor Xuanzong, taking ten years to complete. It was established during a time when various Tibetan Buddhist sects were evenly matched and competing for influence. As a result, it uniquely brought together peaceful coexistence of different sects—Sakya, Gelug, and Budon—within one monastery. Each sect had five or six “dzongs” (temples or halls) in the monastery, giving it a special status and influence in the history of Tibetan Buddhism. Palkhor Monastery is a classic example of Tibetan Buddhist architecture that integrates temple and stupa, where the temple contains the stupa and the stupa contains the temple, complementing each other harmoniously. Its architecture fully represents the typical style of monastery construction in the Tsang region from the late 13th century to the mid-15th century. It is also the only large-scale complex where both the monastery and stupa have been completely preserved, possessing monumental significance. Palkhor Monastery is known as the “King of Stupas in Tibet.” The monastery is admired for its ingenious architectural layout utilizing the terrain, its magnificent and unique “Ten-Thousand-Buddha Stupa” (Palkhor Chöten), and its inclusive spirit embracing all Tibetan Buddhist sects. It is also famed for its distinctive architectural, sculptural, and mural art. The main hall of the monastery has three levels, with the central structure being the Tshokchen Hall. The hall doors have been freshly painted and equipped with electric lights. Under the central window of the main hall hang colorful silk thangkas of arhats, woven by Hangzhou’s Du Jinsheng Textile Workshop in the early Republican period. In the rear hall, the “Jokhang,” golden butter lamps illuminate the space. The bronze statue of Shakyamuni Buddha, which was damaged during the Cultural Revolution, has been restored and is enshrined at the center of the hall. The side halls on the second floor house Tibet’s renowned clay sculpture Arhat Hall, which features over twenty sculptures including the Bodhisattva Manjushri and various arhats. These lifelike figures display diverse expressions and postures, representing fine examples of Ming Dynasty clay sculpture art. The monastery also preserves a collection of Tibetan opera costumes and robes, sewn from silk fabrics such as kesi, embroidery, and brocade produced in inland China during the Ming and Qing dynasties. With about 100 pieces, they hold significant historical and artistic value.

　　     Transportation

　　     Take a long-distance bus from Shigatse to Gyantse County, then walk to the monastery.

　　

　　     Address: Approximately 1 km northwest of Gyantse County, Shigatse City

　　     Type: Historical Architecture / Temple

　　     Rating: AAAA

　　     Recommended Visiting Time: About 1–2 hours

　　     Phone: +86-892-8172105

　　     Opening Hours:

　　     9:00–19:00 (slight adjustments may be made by season)

　　     Ticket Information:

　　     Gate Price: 60.0 RMB

　　     The entrance fee to Palkhor Monastery is 60 RMB. Photography inside the Ten-Thousand-Buddha Stupa costs an additional 10 RMB. (Bringing a camera into the stupa requires an extra fee of 15 RMB, but it is absolutely worth it—don’t miss this great photo opportunity.)