Drepung Monastery: The Temple Closest to the Sky, Rediscover the Original Intention of Life

Nestled in a mountain hollow in the western suburbs of Lhasa, white buildings cover the hillside, harboring the power to purify the soul. Drepung Monastery, meaning "Heap of Rice" in Tibetan, looks like a giant pile of rice spread across the mountains from afar. It is the highest-ranking monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism and the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery. Located at the foot of Genpei Wuzhi Mountain in the western suburbs of Lhasa, the complex of buildings densely covers the entire hillside, creating a magnificent scene. This place is not just a tourist attraction but a spiritual highland where you can escape the noise and find inner peace. Monastery Highlights: Soul-Stirring Must-Sees The Tsokchen Assembly Hall is the core building of Drepung Monastery. Inside the main scripture hall, there are 183 exquisite pillars, accommodating up to 8,000 people chanting sutras simultaneously. Surrounded by Tibetan incense, butter lamps, and the sound of chanting, you will feel a solemnity and tranquility beyond words. On the third floor of the hall is the "Qiangba Tongzhen" Shrine, which houses an eight-year-old life-sized statue of Maitreya Buddha. The shrine also treasures a white conch shell personally excavated by Master Tsongkhapa, a precious relic of the monastery. Ganden Phodrang was the residence and seat of power for successive Dalai Lamas and served as the political center of Tibet. This building consists of three connected structures linked by corridors and stairs, rising step by step. Walking through it feels like hearing echoes of history. Unique Experience: Immerse in Tibetan Faith Life The debate sessions at Drepung Monastery usually start around 2:30 PM. In a courtyard within the monastery, monks debate Buddhist philosophy in pairs—one sitting, one standing—using exaggerated gestures and intense tones. Even if you don’t understand the language, you can feel their devotion and focus on the Dharma. According to Tibetan Buddhist rituals, circumambulating the monastery clockwise (about 2 kilometers) is a way to accumulate merit and blessings. Walking along the winding mountain path with fellow pilgrims, white stones underfoot, sacred halls in sight, and the Lhasa Valley in the distance, every step is a form of practice. If you visit around the end of the sixth month of the Tibetan calendar (around August), you can witness the Drepung Monastery’s Shoton Festival Thangka Unveiling Ceremony—a giant thangka is unfurled on the hillside, with thousands of devotees prostrating in worship, creating a breathtaking scene. Practical Information Opening Hours: 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM Ticket Price: 60 RMB per person (free for Tibetans, no discounts for tourists) Transportation: Take bus routes 24 or 25 from downtown to Drepung Monastery Station, or take a taxi. The uphill road from the monastery gate to the temple is about 2 kilometers; it is recommended to conserve energy and take a local vehicle up the mountain. Visiting Tips: Drepung Monastery is built on a hillside at about 3,800 meters elevation. Please slow your pace and avoid strenuous exercise to prevent altitude sickness. Visit the halls in the morning and watch the debate in the afternoon, allowing 2.5 to 3 hours to fully experience the place. At Drepung Monastery, time seems to slow down. Watching Tibetan devotees bow in reverence and listening to monks’ deep chanting, you will naturally let go of your attachments and return to the present moment. In this temple closest to the sky, every breath is pure, every moment is peaceful—this is the true meaning of life, and the answer lies in the now.