Tashi Lhunpo Monastery Visit

Once we arrived in Shigatse, we quickly dropped our bags in the hotel and left for a visit to the Lhunpo Monastery. We were hopeful of witnessing the monks at prayer at 6 pm and were duly rewarded. It was a magical experience. These monks were robed in heavy yellow capes and each wore special red boots and a yellow hat when outdoors. This massive complex houses over 1000 monks and is visited daily by hundreds of devotees, armed with yak butter to feed the lamps, and who prostrate themselves around the stupas or walk up to the chapel that houses the 26m high (85 ft.) gold-plated statue of Maitreya (future) Buddha. It is the largest gilded statue in the world.Read more