Religious Site
Drepung Monastery
Lhasa, China
3-4 hours
About
Its layered white building clusters look like stacked rice piles from afar, which gives it the Tibetan name “Drepung” meaning “heap of rice”.
It was once home to nearly 10,000 monks, serving as the core Buddhist learning institute. Core highlights include the grand Tsokchen Main Assembly Hall, four monastic colleges, Ganden Phodrang Palace, the famous Buddha Unfolding Platform for Shoton Festival, scripture debating courtyard, and the hillside overlook for panoramic Lhasa city view. The grand giant Thangka unveiling ritual held here on the 30th day of the sixth Tibetan lunar month is the most iconic event of Lhasa’s Yogurt Festival.
Travel Tips
- Take bus No.24 or 25 to the foot of the mountain, then transfer to the uphill shuttle bus for CNY10
- Paid parking spaces are available at the mountain entrance and fully occupied in peak seasons
- No online reservation needed, buy tickets on site with your ID card
- Wear sturdy non-slip walking shoes for massive uphill stone steps and windproof outerwear
- Move slowly to avoid altitude sickness at 3800m elevation, carry water and glucose supplements
- Dress code requires long sleeves and long trousers; shorts, sleeveless tops and slippers are banned inside halls
- Follow clockwise visiting rule, do not step over thresholds or touch Buddha statues and murals
- Scripture debating is held 14:30-16:00 from Monday to Saturday with no sessions on Sundays
- No photography inside all Buddha halls
- Drones are strictly prohibited in the heritage protection zone
Facilities
Gift ShopRestaurantPhotography Allowed
Admission
¥60/ adult
Child¥30
Senior¥30
Opening Hours
Mon09:00 - 16:00
Tue09:00 - 16:00
Wed09:00 - 16:00
Thu09:00 - 16:00
Fri09:00 - 16:00
Sat09:00 - 16:00
Sun09:00 - 16:00
Best Time to Visit
Weekday mornings for fewer crowds