Palkhor Monastery is a kind of typical Tibetan Buddhism monastery architecture combined stupa and temple, with  temples in the stupa, stupas in the temple. The stupas and temples stay harmoniously and bring out the best in each other. Its architecture fully represents a typical style of monasteries from thirteenth century to fifteenth century in Later Tibetan area, which is also the unique monastery with both the temple and stupa being kept well today. So it is reputed as a monument of architecture period. The Palkhor Monastery (meaning lucky and happy monastery) has a Chinese name Baiju Monastery. It has two features: there are three classes of Buddhism (Sakys, Gedang and Gelugpa) existing harmoniously this monastery. Those three classes of Buddhism had experienced repulsion and rivalry for a long time, peaceful with each other. So both the oblation and the architecture style in the monastery embrace and adopt good points from all quarters. Palkhor also features its "Bodhi stupa", or "Kumbum" in Tibetan. Deemed as the symbol of the monastery, the spectacular "stupa" consists of hundreds of chapels in layers, housing about a hundred thousand images of various icons. These icons include Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Vajras, Dharma Kings, Arhats, Disciples, great adepts of different orders in Tibetan Buddhist history, and outstanding figures in Tibetan history such as Songtsen Gampo and Trisong Detsen. In total there are about 3,000 statues, so it is called "Myriad Buddhas Stupa"So people often call it “Myriad Buddhas Stupa", but not its formal name.
Location:
It lies about 230 kilometers (143 miles) south of Lhasa and 100 (62 miles) east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill.
How to get there:
Palkhor Monastery lies at the downtown of Gyangts County. Walk along the stone road if you see the white stupa or white walls, then you’ll find the monastery not far away.
Opening Hours:
09:10 to 16:00
Recommended Time for Visit: Two hours
Admission Fee:
RMB 40 Yuan per person
Tips:
(1) It costs RMB 5 Yuan to take pictures in the stupa. Because the light is really dark in the hole, you need 1/2 second or even slower shutter speed.
(2) You need to spend another RMB 15 Yuan to enter Myriad Buddha Stupa with camera, but it is really worthy if you can capture the picture of Myriad Buddha.
(3) If you just want to take a look without entering, you can walk from the entrance of Myriad Buddha Stupa, walk along the stairs to the top of the stupa. If you cannot find the stairs to go up, you’d better search around for some of those are really hidden. Palkhor Monastery lies at the downtown of Gyangts Count. If you see the white stupa or white walls walk along the stone road, then you’ll find the monastery not far away. |
