Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Drepung Monastery
About 8km west of central Lhasa,
Drepung
(, , Zhébàng Sì admission ¥50; 9.30am-5.30pm,
smaller chapels close at 2pm)
was once one of the world's largest monasteries. The word Dre-
pung literally translates as 'rice heap', a reference to the huge numbers of white monastic
buildings that once piled up on the hillside.
Drepung was founded in 1416 by a charismatic monk and disciple of Tsongkhapa called
Jamyang Chöje. Within just a year of completion the monastery had attracted a population
of some 2000 monks.
It suffered through the ages with assaults by the kings of Tsang and the Mongols, but
was left relatively unscathed during the Cultural Revolution and there is still much of in-
terest intact. Rebuilding and resettlement continue at a pace unmatched elsewhere in Tibet
and the site once again resembles a small village, with around 450 monks resident out of a
pre-Liberation total of around 7000.
The best way to visit the chapels is to follow the pilgrims or, failing that, the yellow
signs. Interior photography costs ¥10 to ¥20 per chapel. Try to visit in the morning as
many chapels close at 2pm.
East of the main central grouping of sights is a cluster of friendly colleges that the tour
dents from Inner Mongolia, and the
Khardung Kangtsang
, the upstairs back hallway of
which is defaced with faded Mao slogans and images.
A restaurant near the bus stop serves reviving tea by the glass, as well as bowls of
shem-
dre
and
momos
.
