Songzanlin Monastery, located in Shangri-La, Yunnan Province, China, is one of the largest and most prominent Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the region. Built in the 17th century during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, Songzanlin is not only a sacred religious site but also a masterpiece of Tibetan architecture, attracting visitors from all over the world.
Introduction to Songzanlin Monastery China
Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Ganden Sumtseling, is the largest Tibetan monastery in Yunnan Province, China. Built in 1679 under the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama, the monastery is located near the town of Shangri-La, with ancient beauty amidst majestic mountain scenery. This is an important religious center of Tibetan Buddhism, attracting not only Buddhists but also tourists from all over the world to visit and worship.
Songzanlin Monastery China. Photo: @visityunnanchina
Songzanlin is known as the “Little Potala” because its architecture is heavily influenced by the Potala Palace in Lhasa. With a large area, the monastery has two main halls and more than 1,000 rooms for monks. Every corner of the architecture exudes solemnity with exquisite Buddhist paintings and tall and majestic Buddha statues. The peaceful space and sacred atmosphere make this place a special destination for those who want to learn about Tibetan Buddhist culture and beliefs.
In addition to its religious value, Songzanlin Monastery is also a symbol of the harmony between nature and architecture. The Shangri-La region where the monastery is located is surrounded by lush green mountains and crystal clear lakes, creating a majestic and poetic landscape. Every year, during Buddhist festivals, the monastery becomes vibrant with traditional rituals, dances and music, contributing to highlighting the richness and diversity of Tibetan culture.
This monastery is known as "little Polata". Photo: @gillianmjliuHistory of Songzanlin Monastery
Songzanling Monastery was originally built in 1679 and completed in 1681. During the Ming Dynasty, Songzanlin Monastery was a small temple of the Nyingma sect. At the beginning of the Qing Dynasty, the Fifth Dalai Lama decided to establish a monastery in Zhongdian to relieve people's suffering. After three years of construction, the monastery was completed and the Fifth Dalai Lama named it "Ganden Songzanlin Monastery". "Ganden" has a relationship with Ganden Monastery in Tibet built by Tsongkhapa of the Gelug sect. During the reign of Yongzheng in the Qing Dynasty, it was named "Guihua Temple". During the reign of Qianlong in the Qing Dynasty, Songzanlin Monastery was under the control of the Seventh Dalai Lama, which made it prosperous at that time. It became the most magnificent monastery in northwest Yunnan and in the Kangzang area.
The building was built in 1697. Photo: @sougood
How to get to Songzanlin Monastery
To get to Songzanlin Monastery , you need to go to Shangri-La (formerly Zhongdian) in Yunnan Province, China. Here are the popular ways to get there:
Shangri-La is served by Diqing Shangri-La Airport, which is the domestic airport serving the area. You can fly from major Chinese cities such as Kunming, Chengdu or Lhasa. The flight from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province, takes about 1 hour.
After landing at Diqing airport, you can take a taxi or bus to Shangri-La center, which takes about 15-20 minutes.
You can also take a bus from Kunming to Shangri-La. The trip takes about 10-12 hours, which is a good choice if you want to experience the scenery along the way. There are buses from Lijiang to Shangri-La, which take about 4-5 hours. This is a popular route chosen by many tourists.
Songzanlin Monastery is about 5 km from the center of Shangri-La. You can take a taxi or public bus (line 3) to the monastery gate. From there, you can walk or take a small tram to visit the main areas.
Getting to Songzanlin Monastery is very convenient due to its proximity to central Shangri-La and various means of transportation.
Photo: @cuerpoblancoBest time to visit Songzanlin Monastery
The best time to visit Songzanlin Monastery is from April to October. This is the time when the climate in Shangri-La is pleasant, the natural scenery is beautiful and convenient for sightseeing. Here are some detailed suggestions:
Spring in Shangri-La has cool temperatures, around 10°C - 20°C. This is the time when flowers such as rhododendrons and mountain flowers bloom, creating a fresh and vibrant landscape. The mountains are green, the flowers are colorful and the sky is blue. This is also the ideal time to explore the nature around the monastery.
July - September (summer):
Summer in Shangri-La is quite pleasant, not too hot with temperatures ranging from 15°C - 25°C. However, it can sometimes rain, especially in July and August. This is the time when the scenery in Shangri-La is very green and beautiful. The lake around Songzanlin Monastery is crystal clear, reflecting the mountain scenery, creating a mesmerizing beauty.
October is the autumn season in Shangri-La with temperatures ranging from 5°C - 18°C. The climate is cool and pleasant. The leaves begin to turn yellow and red, creating a poetic and mysterious scene. This is also the ideal time to take photos.
In addition, if you want to experience Tibetan Buddhist cultural festivals, you can come during major holidays such as the Fire Festival or the Shoton Festival (usually taking place in the 7th lunar month) when Songzanlin Monastery holds ceremonies, parades and special cultural activities.
However, you should avoid going in winter (November to February) because the weather can be very cold and harsh, especially in mountainous areas where there may be snow, affecting travel and sightseeing.
The best time to visit the monastery is from April to October. Photo: @qbambellUnique architecture
Built on the structure of the Potala Palace, Songzanlin Monastery has three main buildings – Zhacang Hall and Jikang Hall located at the center of the monastery and eight colleges, namely Jaya Khamstsen, Duke Khamstsen, Dongwang Khamstsen, Rongba Khamstsen, Xiangcheng Khamstsen, Gro Khamstsen, Yangtang Khamstsen and Jidi Khamstsen located next to the main halls.
The entrance gate is located at the foot of Foping Hill and provides access to the main hall of Songzanlin Monastery via 146 steps. The main hall of the monastery has 108 massive pillars and on both the left and right sides of the main hall are beautiful murals depicting Buddhist stories and legends. More than 1600 monks can sit and chant and meditate in the main hall. The shrines are lit with incense and yak butter lamps. The altars are permanently decorated with yak butter flower sculptures. The inner shrines are exquisite with corridors running through them. All the corridors are decorated with beautiful sculptures and perfect murals.
The monastery consists of three main structures. Photo: @bamboo_cas
Enjoy the scenery of Lamuyangcuo Lake
Lamuyangcuo Lake is located in front of Songzanlin Monastery. Lamuyangcuo, which means Fairy Lake Spirit Lake, is a sacred lake where the spirit of Goddess Bandanlamu, a guardian goddess of the universe, resides. Conggulong Village is located to the east, Xiaojiezi Village and Dongqusheng Sacred Hill are located to the west, and the heavenly burial ground is located to the south. During every important Buddhist ceremony or important decision-making occasion, monks and devotees led by Rinpoche chant and pray around the lake. Devotees and devotees usually circumambulate the path around Lamuyangcuo Lake clockwise.
The Lamuyangcuo Lake Ring Road is 2,110 meters long and takes about 40 minutes to 1 hour to walk. Along the way, you will pass two best spots to take panoramic photos of Songzanlin Monastery, one near Conggulong Village and the other in the center of the lake. Visitors are advised to walk clockwise and enjoy the beautiful scenery and take photos along the way.
Lamuyangcuo Lake. Photo: @grainedevoyageuseSongzanlin Monastery is not only a religious destination but also a symbol of the connection between man and nature. For those who seek peace, spiritual enlightenment or simply admire an architectural wonder, Songzanlin Monastery is definitely a destination not to be missed when traveling to China .
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