Kumbum Stupa & Pelkor Chode Monastery
As Holy Land of Buddhism, Kumbum Stupa (Ta er Temple) and Pelkor Chode Monastery (Baiju Temple) are the two major sights of Gyantse, both enjoying fame far and wide.
Kumbum Stupa
Located in the southwest of Lhasa, the Kumbum stupa is one of the most extraordinary temples in the world. Kumbum, the only Nepalese-style stupa in Tibet, is located in the Pelkor Chode Monastery and covers over 600 mu. A kumbum meaning "100,000 Buddha images" is a three dimensional embodiment of the two-dimensional mandala. Both are religious models of the Buddhist cosmos, ordered symbols of time, space and causation. Around the walls in the yard there are various fine and beautiful frescos. The delicate specimen of wild oxen, goats, monkeys, black bears and other animals are displayed in the porches on both sides.
The whole complex is made up of the Large Gold Tile Hall, the Small Gold Tile Hall, the Longevity Hall, the Large Classics Hall, the Manjusri Bodhisattva Hall, the Sakyamuni Hall, the Hall for Warrior Attendants of Buddha, the Amitabha Buddha Hall, the Time Wheel Tower, the large kitchen, the Eight Towers for Buddha, the Passage Gate Tower and other buildings. .As a combination of the Tibetan and Han forms, the Kumbum Stupa (Ta er Temple) has a unique style. The layout is compactly organized and the towering buildings display great momentum with a resplendent and magnificent view.
Gyantse's Kumbum Stupa contains a superlative collection of Tibetan frescoes. Though their stylistic origins are controversial, the influence of Nepalese art on the development of this indigenous movement, together with influences from India and China can t be ignored. Features that distinguish the Gyantse style from other Tibetan schools include its varied palette that combines pale tones with rich, its presentation of highly expressive figurative forms, a strong emphasis on well-modeled physiognomy and the lavish detail of such decorative elements as jewellery and textiles.
The Pelkor Chode Monastery
The Pelkor Chode Monastery, southwest of Shigatse, in the town of Gyantse, is a huge temple with a unique history and Buddhist art. The site is actually a collection of monasteries that were founded in 1418. There is a temple inside the complex with a large collection of unique Buddhist art inside and monks practicing their daily prayers and mantras. Although the monastery compound used to house many more monks than it does today, the site is well maintained by the Gelugpa sect and the monks that still reside at the Pelkor Chode. Nine of the monasteries are Gelupa, three were Sakyapa and three belonged to the obscure Buton suborder whose head monastery was Shalu near Shigatse.
The best way to get the feeling of the original extent of Pelkor Chode is to see it from the Gyantse and it's a good idea to bring a flashlight with you.
Additional Information
Hours: Subject to change, but roughly 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m.
How to get there: The Pelkor Chode and the Gyantse Kumbum sit on the northern hill overlooking the town of Gyantse's one