Drepung , Sera, Ganden Monastery
Drepung , Sera, Ganden Monastery are the Great Three Monasteries of Tibet.
Drepung Monastery was once the world's largest monastery, and once the most influential monastery in Tibet, housing over 10,000 monks. It was founded in 1416 and was the seat of the Dalai Lamas before the "Great Fifth" Dalai Lama built the Potala Palace. Today Drepung remains an active monastery and attracts pilgrims and visitors from around the world.
Highlight for travellers:
Drepung is especially known as the site of the annual Shoton Festival, with its dramatic unfurling of a giant thangka on the hillside.
Sera Monastery is a fifteenth century sprawl of golden roofs and whitewashed walls. This well preserved monastery is located just a few miles (5 km) north of Lhasa and is home to several hundred monks.
Sera may not be as grandiose as Drepung, but is more serene surrounded by many small temples. The 'Buddhism Scriptures Debating' in Sera is very famous.
Highlight for travelers:
The famous debating activities are happening 3-4pm quite regularly every day.
Ganden Monastery was founded in 1409 by Lama Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug tradition, as the first and main Gelug monastery. It is located on Wangbur Mountain with the altitude of 3800 meters, Tagtse County, 47 kilometers from Lhasa.
Highlights for travelers:
Ganden Monastery lies hidden in the mountain, after you past the zigzags roads, your first site of this isolation monastery will be a magical moment remembered for years to come.
Ganden Samye trek is probably the most easiest treks in Tibet, its program combines culture tours and trek together, very interesting and unforgettable.
Recommended Itinerary:
Day01 Arrive in Lhasa by air / train
Day02 In Lhasa. Visit Jokhang Temple Barkhor Street, Sera Monastery
Day03 In Lhasa. Visit Potala Palace, Drepung Monastery
Day04 Lhasa-Ganden Monaster-Lhasa
Day05 Depart Lhasa
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