Ganden Sumtseling Monastery (葛丹松赞林寺), often referred to as the “Little Potala Palace,” is a remarkable sight nestled in the foothills of Foping Mountain, just 5 kilometers north of Shangri-La. From the city, visitors can gaze northward at a sprawling complex of buildings set against the backdrop of majestic mountains. The shimmering golden roofs of the monastery gleam in the sunlight, creating an impressive visual spectacle reminiscent of an ancient fortress.
This monastery is the largest Tibetan Buddhist temple in the Diqing region and was designed to emulate the iconic Potala Palace in Lhasa. Known as Guihuasi in Chinese, it serves as the center of the Gelug school in the Sichuan-Yunnan area and is renowned for its architectural grandeur and cultural significance. With over 700 monks residing within its walls, Ganden Sumtseling is often dubbed the “Tibetan Art Museum,” housing a wealth of treasures and artifacts representing the pinnacle of Tibetan artistic achievement.
Visitors enter the monastery through its main gate at the foot of Foping Mountain, which leads to several hundred steps ascending to the main prayer halls, known as Zha Cang and Ji Kang. Along the stairway, numerous subsidiary temples such as Jidi, Yangtang, Zhuo, Xiangcheng, and Rongba can be found. The walls of these temples are adorned with vibrant murals depicting Bodhisattvas and figures from Tibetan mythology, providing a striking visual impact.
At the center of the monastery lie the main halls, Zha Cang and Ji Kang, which showcase a blend of Tibetan architectural style alongside elements of Han Chinese temple design. The upper levels of these halls are crowned with golden copper tiles. The main hall can accommodate up to 1,600 devotees for prayer, and its walls feature a “ten-thousand volume” scripture collection. The front of the hall is home to a statue of the Fifth Dalai Lama, while the rear showcases stupas housing the remains of renowned Buddhist masters, adding to the spiritual ambiance of this magnificent monastery.
Ganden Sumtseling Monastery is a magnificent representation of Tibetan religious culture, showcasing a stunning array of architectural styles that reflect the richness of Tibetan art and spirituality. The monastery is adorned with golden roofs, vibrant colors, and intricate designs. Inside, it houses numerous precious relics, including statues of the Fifth and Seventh Dalai Lamas, ancient scriptures on palm leaves, thangkas (traditional Tibetan paintings), and various ceremonial implements. The monastery is home to ten copies of the “Tanjur,” two of which are exquisitely hand-written in gold ink.
Most of the lamas in Ganden Sumtseling come from the Kham region, where their families take pride in their spiritual contributions. In times when there were no schools, monasteries served as educational institutions. Even today, Tibetan families feel honored when their children can enter a monastery, akin to students gaining admission to prestigious schools in other regions.
In addition to the younger lamas, Ganden Sumtseling is also home to higher-ranking lamas known as “living Buddhas.” These spiritual leaders frequently travel across the Kham region and meet with devotees in the monastery. Among them, the most virtuous is referred to as the Great Living Buddha.
To the west of the monastery stands a striking white stupa, which is easily visible from a distance. Beneath this stupa are many stone slabs inscribed with scriptures. When the wind blows, colorful prayer flags flutter and create a soothing sound, seemingly narrating the mysteries and wonders of life. It is said that each wave of the prayer flags offers blessings and merits to the one who set them up, symbolizing prayers and mantras being recited.
The interplay of golden and black-and-white colors at Ganden Sumtseling evokes a sense of nostalgia and profound emotion. The clear blue skies and fluffy white clouds above, along with the ancient snow-capped mountains nearby, create an atmosphere of purity and sanctity that resonates deeply with visitors.
Travel Information about Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
Ticket and Opening Hours
Ticket Price: 115 RMB (90 RMB during the off-peak season, including a 15 RMB guide fee and a 20 RMB sightseeing bus fee).
Opening Hours: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM.
Transportation to the Monastery
Location: At the foot of Foping Mountain, 5 kilometers north of Shangri-La city.
Getting There:
- You can take a taxi from Shangri-La city directly to the entrance of the monastery.
- Alternatively, you can catch Bus No. 3 from Dukezong Ancient Town, which will take you to the entrance, where you can board a sightseeing bus to reach the monastery.
Attraction Rating
- Cultural Significance: ★★★★
- Unique Features: ★★★
- Leisure: ★★★
- Beauty: ★★★
- Romantic Appeal: ★★★
- Adventure: ★★
Useful Tips
Direction of Movement: When visiting the monastery, please walk in a clockwise direction. Avoid pointing at the Buddha statues with your fingers, and do not enter the living quarters of the lamas without permission.
Souvenir Shopping: There are many small shops selling handicrafts on both sides of the monastery entrance. These shops offer a variety of Tibetan handicrafts, so interested visitors can purchase a few items as souvenirs.
History of Ganden Sumtseling Monastery
In 1679 (the 18th year of the Kangxi Emperor), the Fifth Dalai Lama personally planned the construction of the first Gelugpa monastery in Shangri-La, which broke ground that year and was completed two years later. The Fifth Dalai Lama named it “Ganden Sumtseling,” and it was later granted the name “Guihua Temple” by the Kangxi Emperor. Locally, it is referred to as “Sajieshui,” meaning “the temple of sacred land.”
After the completion of the monastery, three major monasteries from Lhasa dispatched eminent monks such as Ju Ma Qingze and A Wang Nanjie to Shangri-La to manage the temple, teach classes, and preach Gelugpa doctrines and regulations. By the time of the Seventh Dalai Lama, the number of monks at Ganden Sumtseling had increased to around 1,300, making it the largest Gelugpa monastery in Yunnan Province.