Labrang Monastery

The most attractive thing about Labrang Monastery is that if it is a temple, I think it is more like a school and the lamas are more like they are here to study. In fact, Labrang Monastery is one of the highest Buddhist institutions of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, which is equivalent to the Peking University and Tsinghua University of Tibetan Buddhism. Compared with the temples in our Han area, I like it here better. I have visited some temples over the years. How big is it for prayer? I am a little confused about the temples in Han area, but here I worship seriously. I believe that this place moved me. This is the most original and touching temple I have been to so far. It is a painting more beautiful than a painting. The Labrang Monastery I saw is better and more touching than I thought before.

We saw many Tibetan people coming here devoutly to make pilgrimages and pray, but we were just taking a quick look.

Whenever I see Tibetan people prostrating themselves to worship Buddha, I always admire their piety!

The tour here is quite orderly. There are special lamas organizing groups of people to take turns to enter each hall for explanation. The tall lama in our team was a bit lazy, speaking fast and vaguely, and it was not very clear what he was saying. You can't take pictures in the hall, so I only took pictures of the exterior.

The only hall where you can take photos is the one that displays butter sculptures, a special form of sculpture art made of butter. But I couldn't get used to the sour smell, so I held my breath, took a few photos, and then left. Although I yearned for the beautiful scenery of Tibet, I was really afraid that I wouldn't be able to get used to the food there.

We were told that we needed tickets when we entered the parking lot through the small door, and we were told that the ticket office would open at 2:30 pm. Then we had to go back to the main entrance and walked in without any obstruction. This may be the most irresponsible tourist attraction I have ever seen. It also shows that Gannan in winter is sparsely visited by tourists, which is more in line with my heart. Washing away the prosperity is the way to return to nature.

Seeing many believers circumambulating the temple, just follow them. As the filming location of the movie "A World Without Thieves", it takes at least two hours to visit it.

I followed the circumambulation of the sutra by myself, and didn't meet any tourists. I walked into the alley where there was a fork in the road. There was only the sun and me, and only a few monks besides me.

We turned to a pagoda (Gongtang Pagoda) and saw someone on the top of the pagoda. Out of curiosity, I entered the courtyard and saw a sign saying 20 yuan per person and entry with a ticket. There was no ticket sales at that time. The whole Labrang Monastery was mine (secretly happy). I climbed the pagoda floor by floor. When I reached the top of the pagoda, I was stunned. Standing on the pagoda, I could overlook the whole Labrang Monastery. The Labrang Monastery after the snow was warm and quiet under the sunshine. The feeling is indescribable. It is a feeling that can only be experienced by standing there.

I was reluctant to leave the pagoda for a long time. If possible, I would bring a small stool and sit on it for a whole day.

This temple is super big. It is located in Xiahe County, Gannan. The annual grand Buddha Exposure Festival makes it very famous. After entering and walking around twice, every building is a piece of history. This is now the largest Tibetan Academy in the country. The accommodation conditions in Xiahe are also very good. There is already a dedicated Xiahe Airport. It is enough to see the influence of the Buddha Exposure Festival and the influence of this temple. Looking at the believers around me with reverence, it is really a different feeling.

In theory, Labrang Monastery should be lower in status than Ta'er Monastery, after all, the founder of the Gelug Sect, Tsongkhapa, was born in Ta'er Monastery. But it seems that the scale of Labrang Monastery is even larger than Ta'er Monastery. If you randomly ask anyone on the street in Xiahe where Labrang Monastery is, they will point and say, "It's all over that place"...

For photographers, Labrang Monastery has an even higher status because the entire monastery is located in an open area. Next to the National Highway 213 across Xiahe, there is a platform with an excellent view from which you can take panoramic photos of the Labrang Monastery.

The opening scene of "A World Without Thieves" is a panoramic view of the sunrise at Labrang Monastery. The camera was taken from that position. As for whether or not you can see such a sunrise, I am not responsible for it...

The Labrang Temple is really big. The author and his family walked around for a long time but couldn't even find the core area of the temple. I thought that such an important cultural attraction must be crowded with people, so I just had to follow the crowd. As a result, the whole temple was empty. Later, I decided not to look for the main hall, but just look around the outside of the temple. Fortunately, except for the Great Sutra Hall and Gongtang Pagoda, which require tickets, other places in the whole temple area are free.

As the cultural and artistic center of the Tibetan people in the entire Amdo region, Labrang Monastery has more lamas than any other temple along the way. The young lamas are confident and energetic, and they will even nod to you in a friendly manner. In contrast, the older lamas always cover their faces and pass by hurriedly when they see tourists with cameras, even if you are not taking pictures at all.

Labrang Monastery has the world's largest prayer wheel corridor (this national record seems to be the world record), with more than 2,000 prayer wheels, 3 kilometers long, and it takes more than an hour to go around it. The prayer wheels are not of uniform size, and there are small rooms in the corners with prayer wheels as tall as a person.

Labrang Monastery is well connected, and each scripture hall is a separate courtyard. Most people passing by are in a hurry, and the whole temple is shrouded in a mysterious atmosphere. Gongtang Pagoda is the most obvious landmark as the commanding height. If you buy a separate ticket, you can climb to the top of the pagoda to overlook the whole temple.

The locals who were circumambulating the temple took us to the small path behind the temple. They kept touching the walls and gates with their foreheads along the way. It is said that this is to pray for good luck and peace to the Buddha and the temple.

Go straight to Labrang Monastery on Provincial Highway 312. Do not leave this route unless there is a detour. I was misled by the road sign.

I came here with my colleagues in 2016. We only visited the east side, but we did not feel the piety and sacredness in the hearts of the Tibetan people. We just thought it was fun. I guess most tourists feel the same way. After all, we don’t understand or believe in Buddhism.

This time we only visited the southernmost part, which is close to the Daxia River. It is under repair and looks rather messy.

A worker was carefully and meticulously painting the wall, and suddenly I remembered the movie "A World Without Thieves" in which "Sha Gen" (Wang Baoqiang) was repairing Labrang Monastery. Same scene but different people. That one was from the movie, and this one is real.

Just by looking at the intricate and exquisite carvings on the gate tower, one can tell how long it took to build the entire Labrang Monastery, how many craftsmen were needed, and how much money it cost.

Opposite the Gongtang Pagoda, there is a high earthen platform from which you can get the best panoramic view of Labrang Monastery. Many people come here to take panoramic photos.

The palace of Labrang Monastery seen from the riverside looks solemn and majestic against the backdrop of green trees.

It was built in the 49th year of Emperor Kangxi's reign and has a history of 280 years. It consists of many Buddhist colleges and temples and is a sacred Buddhist religious monastery.

Like many Tibetan temples, there is a circle of prayer wheels around the temple. According to the rules, turn the prayer wheels clockwise and make a small wish for happiness and well-being. What I like more than praying is that these prayer wheels have experienced many vicissitudes and rich experiences. They are often turned by the fingers of devout believers with the fragrance of butter. They rotate and dance tirelessly, conveying the wonderful communication between them and the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, purifying the souls of countless practitioners, giving them spiritual sustenance, and also recording the loneliness and piety of all living beings.

The architectural style of the temple inherits the enthusiasm and solemnity of Tibetan Buddhism, with "vibrant red", "sacred yellow", "deep blue" and "pure white" complementing each other, proving the strength of "Nine-Colored Gannan". Statues of Sakyamuni, Bodhisattva and Arhat are enshrined in the hall, making people more willing to believe that the darkness and mystery of this place is because there are really gods protecting it.

Labrang Monastery was also the filming location for the movie A World Without Thieves. When Rene Liu looked down at the Labrang Monastery, she saw a glittering golden light, which should be a kind of power of faith. Some things cannot shine by themselves, but it is our faith that gives them a thousand-foot light.

It is generally not allowed to take photos when entering a temple, so you need to experience Labrang Monastery for yourself.

It is one of the six major monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism (Gelugpa), covering an area of about 860,000 square meters. It has six colleges. Every day, many lamas attend morning and evening classes. The monastery is very large and there are many small paths. If you want to visit carefully, it will take most of the day. If you don't enter the designated halls where tickets are charged, there is no charge. You can walk around the monastery as you like. It opens very early in the morning and closes at about 7 o'clock in the evening. You can walk all the way from the temple's prayer corridor to the hillside and see the panoramic view of the temple.

The world's largest Tibetan Buddhist institution. You can take photos of the exterior of the building, but you are not allowed to take photos of the Buddha statues inside. Please respect local customs. It has the largest and longest prayer wheels. It is very photogenic and very sun-worthy.

There are lamas who are studying in the temple and give explanations to tourists regularly. When we came in, the last group had just left and the next group would take a long time, so we hurried to catch up and caught up with them at the first explanation point. Along the way, tourists did not listen to instructions and ignored taboos, walked around and took photos, which made the lamas who were not well-trained look unhappy and muttered a lot of incomprehensible Tibetan in their mouths, perhaps complaining or perhaps to adjust their emotions.

Labrang Monastery (one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism and the largest Tibetan studies institution in the world) is a one hour and forty-five minute drive away and is the filming location for A World Without Thieves.

Panoramic location of Labrang Monastery: You can take photos of the morning view on the mountain opposite the Daxia River, which is on the mountain opposite the Gongtang Pagoda across the river. There is a staircase. Labrang Monastery widely uses white and red, of which white is used everywhere in the architecture, while red is mainly used in the temple's Dharma Protector Hall, Lingta Hall, etc. In addition, the use of gold and yellow also has a hierarchical meaning, especially in the Dajinwa Temple, the use of gold is particularly prominent.

Let us follow the devout people to turn the prayer wheels and listen to the chanting of lamas and believers.

Labrang Monastery is located in the western suburbs of Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, with Fengling Mountain behind it and Longshan Mountain opposite. It is one of the six main monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The temples are built in a staggered manner according to the mountain terrain. The mud-built white walls, yellow walls, red walls or earth walls and golden roofs, black window frames or door frames, white or black curtains, and complex carvings are simple, rough and elegant, with strong Tibetan characteristics.

Labrang Monastery is the highest institution of Tibetan Buddhism in China.

Labrang Monastery has six major zatsangs (colleges): Kalachakra College, Medical College, Hevajra College, Wensi College, Upper Tantra College, and Lower Tantra College. It retains the most complete Tibetan Buddhist teaching system with complete academic disciplines, combining learning, recitation, and debate.

The examination is held twice a year, one between the semester of May 17th and June 17th of the Tibetan calendar, and the other between the semester of November 17th and December 17th. Those who pass the debate examination will be awarded the Ranjianpa degree, and the number of candidates is strictly limited.

Dorje Rinpa is the highest Geshe degree in Labrang Monastery, the highest degree of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, equivalent to a modern doctorate. All "Za Rinpa" monks who graduated from the Abhidharmakosha are eligible to apply for the exam, but because the number of places is limited and there are many Rinpas, it often takes a long time to have the opportunity to apply for this degree.

To become a Dorje, one not only needs extremely high knowledge and cultivation, but also needs to pass a strict examination. This examination is divided into two stages: the preliminary examination and the formal examination. The preliminary examination is conducted by Master Jiamuyang, and only monks who pass the preliminary examination are eligible to take the formal Dorje examination.

The formal Dorje examination is held twice a year, one in the prayer ceremony in the first month and the other in the ceremony in the seventh month. The examination is in the form of a thesis defense in the lecture hall, which is a very strict examination method. Candidates need to have a deep understanding and familiarity with various Tibetan Buddhist scriptures and theories.

The number of Dorenba students is very limited, only two each year, which means that to obtain this degree, one needs not only extremely high knowledge and accomplishment, but also sufficient patience and perseverance.

It is said that traveling to Gannan is half scenery and half culture. Speaking of culture, one thing you must not miss is Labrang Monastery, known as the "World Tibetan Studies Center". It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug sect and is particularly famous in Gannan. It has 108 affiliated monasteries.



Labrang Monastery is huge in scale, which is particularly obvious when viewed from aerial photos. Many monks' quarters surround the main hall, and the buildings are neatly planned. There are main roads leading to all directions, and the overall layout is flat, except for the main hall area which is built against the mountain and has some slopes.

Labrang Monastery is not only a temple, but a large-scale temple complex consisting of the Gongtang Pagoda, the Sutra Hall, the Tsongkhapa Hall, the Labrang Monastery Printing House, etc.!

There is the world's longest prayer corridor here, with more than 2,000 prayer wheels totaling about 3.5 kilometers. It takes at least an hour to turn each prayer wheel. This is the world's most famous Tibetan esoteric school, with the most complete Tibetan Buddhist teaching system in China...

"Go straight to Labrang Monastery along Provincial Highway 312. Do not leave this route unless a detour is being built. Otherwise, do not leave the provincial highway.

Generally, we arrive in Xiahe at noon, visit the monastery in the afternoon, and leave Xiahe after watching the morning class the next morning. The general way to visit Labrang Monastery is to go around the monastery clockwise, which is also a pilgrimage ritual of Tibetan Buddhism. During the monastery circumambulation, you can go in and visit the halls scattered among the buildings. It is about 4 kilometers to circumambulate the monastery, and it takes about 3-4 hours including the visit. There are lamas as guides at the door to form a group and enter together. The lamas take everyone to take the traditional tour route, including the Wensi College, the Tibetan Medicine Hall, the Museum, and the Treasure Hall.

It is also very nice to watch and photograph the stars in the temple area at night.

One of the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism, the most famous Tibetan tantric college in the world, and has the most complete Tibetan Buddhist teaching system in China.

The Labrang Monastery's super-long prayer corridor is rare in the world, with more than 2,000 prayer wheels in total. It takes at least an hour to turn each prayer wheel.

There is an ancient wooden bridge in the southwest corner of Labrang Monastery, which crosses the Xia River. You can cross the bridge and go up the mountain, and stand on the Buddha drying platform to have a panoramic view of Labrang Monastery.

The temple area and the general Buddhist halls are open to the public free of charge. Tickets to the main hall (Wensi Hall) and the Gongtang Pagoda are charged separately.

08:00-12:00 (Wensi Hall), 08:00-12:00 (Gongtang Pagoda), 08:00-12:00 (Other Buddhist Halls), All day (Temple area)

Next to National Highway 213 across Xiahe, there is a platform with an excellent view from which you can take panoramic photos of Labrang Monastery.

From the temple's prayer corridor, you can walk all the way to the hillside and see the panoramic view of the temple.

There are many beautiful plateau plants on the mountain opposite the temple, and you can see the panoramic view of the temple. Many people are waiting for the sunset on the mountain.

The knowledgeable lamas explained the history of the temple and the statues enshrined in each hall.”

The filming location of "A World Without Thieves" was not in Tibet, but in the Labrang Monastery in Gannan. The Labrang Monastery has the world's longest prayer corridor and a strong Buddhist culture. It is one of the six main monasteries of the Gelugpa (Yellow Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism in China.

What is important in traveling is not the scenery along the way. 3D holographic projection looks better. What is important is the people who accompany you on the trip. Thanks to the group of scarecrows I met that week, and drinking noodles with you.

Labrang Monastery, located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, is a famous Tibetan Buddhist monastery in my country.



The hotel where we stayed also hung the pictures of the old and new living Buddhas of the temple. Most of the locals were very pious.



The movie "A World Without Thieves" was filmed in this temple, which led to a significant increase in the number of tourists here.

Labrang Monastery is located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. Its full Tibetan name is "Ganden Xiazhu Darji Zhaxi Yisuqi Julang", which means the auspicious right-handed temple of joyful teaching and cultivation. It is abbreviated as Zhaxiqi Temple and is generally called Labrang Monastery. Labrang Monastery is a variation of the Tibetan word "Labrang", which means the residence of the living Buddha master. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is known as the "World Tibetan Studies Center" in the world. During its heyday, there were 4,000 monks.

Labrang Monastery is located in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is known as the "World Tibetan Studies Institute". It is the filming location of the movie "A World Without Thieves". The ticket price is 40 yuan. Lamas will lead tourists to visit several temples. Tickets will be checked at the entrance of the temple. After entering the temple, you must take off your hat and are prohibited from taking photos. Visit in a clockwise direction, exit from the west gate, cross the bridge to the small hill on the other side of the river, and you can see the panoramic view of Labrang Monastery.

As for Labrang Monastery, it took us a whole day to feel that we were a little closer to it.

As soon as the sky got light, we held umbrellas and followed the monks and people who had gotten up early to turn the world's longest prayer wheel outside Labrang Monastery. It was not as easy as we imagined, as the prayer wheels were very heavy and it took a lot of strength to turn each one. The locals would wear a glove on their right hand and turn them one after another at a very fast pace, rain or shine.

At eight o'clock, we bought tickets and followed the monk guide to enter the temple. We walked through the scripture hall, the Buddha Hall, and the exhibition hall. We stopped in front of the huge Buddha statue and exquisite wood carvings with the help of dim lights. We listened to the chanting of scriptures drifting by through the smoke of the mulberry platform. We watched the monks debating scriptures from afar, feeling that everything was close at hand and far away at the horizon...

When it was sunset, we climbed up the hill behind Labrang Monastery and waited for the sunset with several monks. The rain that had lasted for the whole day finally stopped, and the pink and purple sunset covered the Gongtang Pagoda with a layer of gauze. All doubts and confusions disappeared at this moment.

Labrang Monastery is located on the bank of Daxia River in Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Gansu Province, China. It is the Buddhist temple of the Lower Sutra College next to the Great Sutra Hall. Its original name is Ganden Xiazhu Budaji Yisuqi Beilang, also known as Zaxiqi Monastery. Labrang is a phonetic change from Labrang, which means the residence of the Living Buddha Master. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism and is known as the "World Tibetan Studies House" in the world. During its heyday, there were more than 4,000 monks. It was opened to the public for tourism in 1980 and was listed as the second batch of national key cultural relics protection units in 1982. The entire temple is the oldest and only existing Buddhist temple built during the period of the first Jamyang Living Buddha. Labrang Monastery was known to have 108 subordinate temples in history and was the political and religious center of Gannan area. Currently, Labrang Monastery retains the best Tibetan Buddhist teaching system in the country. The current head of the temple is the sixth Jamyang Hutuktu, Jamyang Lobsang Gyalme Thubten Chokyi Nyima. Other leaders include the four great saichis (Gongtang Cang, Samucang Cang, Horzang Cang, and Dewa Cang) and eight great abbots. On April 13, 2018, it was shortlisted as one of the "100 Magical Scenic Spots of Northwest China". [1]

It was very quiet. The monks didn't like to communicate with outsiders except for the guides. They could speak simple Mandarin, but when asked questions, they would answer "I don't know, don't ask me". So I didn't feel tolerant. Of course, I don't know whether outsiders were disturbing. I want to visit other temples.

You should read some information before you go, otherwise you will definitely not understand the religion, folk customs and other aspects.

It's a pity that I didn't spend more time in Labrang Monastery. It's amazing. It's a must-see place. It's worthy of its reputation as the highest Tibetan learning institution! It's like entering Tibet.

The filming location of A World Without Thieves is very beautiful. I love it.

The longest prayer corridor in the world! When you enter Labrang Monastery, you will see many Tibetans circling the temple. Locals say this is called prayer. It is the simplest way to eliminate sins and pray for world peace. Praying is not only a religious act, but also a habit of life.

Labrang Monastery is a truly amazing place. Sacred temples, Buddhist wisdom, and spectacular mountains. It is worth savoring.

Go west along Xiahe River. There is a wooden bridge at the end. After crossing the bridge, there is a hilltop where you can see the panoramic view of Labrang Monastery.

We spent more than an hour following the people who were circumambulating the temple and praying.

There are many beautiful plateau plants on the mountain opposite the temple, and you can see the panoramic view of the temple. Many people are waiting for the sunset on the mountain.

Labrang Monastery has the longest prayer wheel in the world. We also circumambulated the temple devoutly, prayed silently, and made good wishes...

Labrang Monastery is not as commercial and noisy as Ta'er Monastery, but it is indeed more solemn. When walking here, you will consciously not make loud noises. At this moment, I suddenly understood why the movie "A World Without Thieves" was filmed here instead of Ta'er Monastery, which is more famous than here...

Labrang at 8:00 am was quiet and peaceful. Dew and mist covered the top of the mountain. The sky was blue and the clouds were white. It was beautiful.

Labrang Monastery is the business card of Gannan tourism. I met Han Hong here~~~

I went there 3 years ago and it was OK. I don't know how it is now.

First, buy a ticket at the ticket hall. After about 30 or 40 people gather, staff will lead tourists to the entrance of Wensi College. Here, the temple's young master will continue to take you on a tour. I mainly visited the Wensi Hall, the Great Sutra Hall, the Manjusri Hall, and the Maitreya Hall. It took an hour. Because there were too many tourists, the explanation was rough and the experience was not very good. Of course, a large part of the reason was that my knowledge reserve was insufficient and I didn't know enough about Tibetan Buddhism.

In fact, Labrang Monastery has a ticket office, the ticket price is 40, not far from the main entrance for tourists, and there are people checking tickets. But the monastery itself has no walls and is connected in all directions, so it is not surprising that you can enter without buying a ticket. Outside Labrang Monastery is the world's longest prayer corridor, but we may have only seen a few hundred meters of the corridor, and the focus is still to visit various buildings. There are lamas with explanations inside, but we wandered around by ourselves, but it’s not a big problem. Simply looking at the strange and colorful buildings of Labrang Monastery, and the lamas and Tibetans coming and going, it’s not a wasted trip. In the evening, in a higher place in the temple, there were lamas debating. I couldn’t understand what they were saying, but their movements were still quite funny. Taking pictures is not allowed during the debate, but how can you stop them?

The long prayer wheel corridor is the road of hope for the Tibetan people. They chant the six-syllable mantra, turn each prayer wheel sincerely, and take each step piously.

       

There are many pigeons and sheep next to the white pagoda outside the temple. They are raised by the temple, which can be regarded as releasing them.

The most famous thing about Labrang Monastery is the more than 2,000 prayer wheels.

Labrang Monastery is not grand, but it has many monks' quarters, covers a large area, and is still under construction. The lama master is also keeping up with the times and can use CAD. The temple is becoming more corporate.

Labrang Monastery has a strong religious atmosphere.

Devotees burn incense and worship Buddha, and the incense is burned all year round.

I especially remember the place where Rene Liu made a wish in A World Without Thieves, and I have always wanted to go and see it. When we set out from Lanzhou, the sun was shining brightly, but when we arrived at Labrang, we encountered the first snow of 2018, and it was getting heavier and heavier. This snow added a layer of flavor to Labrang Monastery. Although the body was cold, the heart was beautiful. As soon as we entered the scenic area, we saw the prayer corridor, which is now under construction. Some sections of the prayer wheels are being repaired, so our circle was not complete. The corridor in the heavy snow gave people the illusion of a deep palace, but it also showed the sincerity of the pilgrims. All the way, there were believers in a hurry, reciting scriptures silently, praying with pious faces, and not disturbed by the tourists around them. Although the believers were in a hurry, the dogs in the temple were leisurely and contented. They found a place, curled up and fell asleep.

Xia County landmark building, the filming location of A World Without Thieves, Tibetan Buddhist College, a very sacred place. Because I brought my dog with me, I didn't go into the temple, I just walked around outside

It's in Xiahe County, a very small place. It costs two yuan to take a taxi from the temple back to the county. The temple is not bad, but I don't have a deep impression.

Very beautiful scenery, solemn, walk around Labrang Monastery in the early morning and feel the charm of Tibetan Buddhism!

I haven't done much research on Tibetan Buddhism, so I won't comment on it. The architecture is nice. Suggestions: leave enough time, there is the world's longest prayer wheel here, you can try to walk around it; watch the weather, it is easier to take pictures when the light is good; if you come in October, be sure to wear more clothes, you will still shiver when the sun goes down. Recommendation index: four stars.

During the visit in the temple, the knowledgeable lamas explained to us the history of the temple and the statues enshrined in each hall. The lamas were amiable and very friendly.

At the outermost part of Labrang Monastery is the longest prayer wheel in the world. Lamas in red robes, gray-haired old women, women carrying children on their backs and weather-beaten men turn each prayer wheel by hand with a pious and humble attitude, and their souls are one with the Buddha as the prayer wheels rotate.

After walking around the longest prayer corridor (4 kilometers) on the periphery, we went to the opposite hillside to have a panoramic view of the temple. The longest prayer corridor not only attracts tourists, but the most devout Tibetans come here to walk a circle every day. I bought a ticket at the door, walked into a wider main street for 5 minutes and arrived at the temple square. Although it is a temple, it feels like a village, with many roads (like alleys) and many small courtyards. I saw someone collecting tickets at the gate of the courtyard. After asking, I found out that the tickets have different colored locations printed on them. You have to enter the courtyards in order and by route. Each courtyard is different (a small museum, a place where monks chant scriptures, etc.). The most obvious thing about this place is that it is more primitive and simple than the Ta'er Temple, and not so commercialized.

I came to Labrang Monastery from afar with great respect for Tsongkhapa, the master of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Buddhist scriptures promote the equality of all beings, but here they charge 40 yuan for tickets to Han compatriots, and they are rude and refuse to see them again. I wonder what Tsongkhapa would think if he were alive more than 600 years ago. What are the lamas in the monastery practicing now?

We did not see the temple in its heyday. The square and the main hall were empty. May Day is not a peak season, and there is no entrance fee. Occasionally, there are locals circumambulating the temple, or monks in groups of three or two, all in a leisurely manner, just like the most ordinary atmosphere of life, without impatience or embellishment. Such a peaceful and tranquil experience is a rare experience on public holidays.

The next morning, our destination was still Labrang Monastery, to see the difference between the sunset and the sunrise. The gentle and dazzling sunrise blessed this pure land, and all the halls and prayer wheels had a kind of intimate warmth, emitting a glow that was completely different from the evening, and even the color of the walls looked more colorful.

You don't need to buy a ticket to walk around the temple. You can enter and exit the general Buddhist hall. The entrance fees for the Wensi Hall and Gongtang Pagoda are 40 yuan and 20 yuan respectively. The opening hours are 08:00-18:00.

The temple is closed to the public at four or five o'clock, but fortunately there is the world's longest prayer corridor here, which is outside the temple and does not affect the visit.

The small hill opposite the Labrang Monastery is a good place to have a panoramic view. Although the hill is not high, it is not easy to climb. When we climbed up the next morning, there were already many people waiting for the sunrise. However, the weather was not very good that day, and the clouds were very thick. The golden light that finally flashed would be quickly hidden in the clouds.

Most tourists who visit Labrang Monastery come from Lanzhou or Sichuan. Most of them arrive in Xiahe around noon. They visit the monastery in the afternoon and leave Xiahe after watching the morning class the next morning. The general way to visit Labrang Monastery is to go around the monastery clockwise, which is also a pilgrimage ritual of Tibetan Buddhism. During the circumambulation, you can go in and visit the halls scattered among the buildings. It is about 4 kilometers to circumambulate the monastery, and it takes about 3-4 hours including the visit. There are lamas as guides at the door to form a group and enter together. The lamas take everyone to take the traditional tour route, Wensi College, Tibetan Medicine Museum, Museum, Treasure House, and punch holes on the tickets one by one to enter.

Special Tips

1. You need to respect the beliefs and customs of ethnic minorities in the local area. You need to take off your hat before entering the temple hall. After entering, you cannot make noise or point directly at the Buddha statues. In addition, you are not allowed to take photos in any hall.

2. At night, the town side is brightly lit, while the quaint temple area is pitch black. Crossing the border and entering the temple will give you a magical feeling of traveling through time and space. It is also very nice to watch and photograph the stars in the temple area at night.

It is very quiet here. Classes are led in waves by competent monks so there is no feeling of crowds. The monks will explain patiently, but I prefer to listen quietly to the sound of the bells being blown by the wind, which makes me feel very peaceful inside.

The scenery is average. The temple is not particularly beautiful. The most important thing is that it is a rip-off. Everything was fine when I entered on the first day. The next morning, I went in alone and was suddenly stopped by a staff member who looked underage with a work badge and asked for tickets. Maybe they saw that I was alone and there were several people around me, so they ignored me. I explained to them that I would not go to the Wensi Hall and Gongtang Pagoda, but they pushed me out of the scenic area. It is true that poor mountains and bad waters produce unruly people. They are crazy about money. The monks are also very professional. There is really no solemn atmosphere. It is really not worth going here.

Visit various temples under the guidance of a lama guide.

After visiting several open halls, the tour guide left and the tourists visited the temple on their own. There were no signboards in the temple, so we followed the crowd out of Labrang Monastery and climbed the opposite mountain to overlook the temple. We found that Labrang Monastery is very large and there are many places we did not visit. We could have visited it for a longer time if we had time.

When I came to Labrang Monastery, I experienced more of the mystery of Tibetan Buddhism. Compared with the common commercialization and formalization of inland temples, the purest faith is still maintained here. Although it attracts a large number of tourists to visit, it is not seen that the monks here are too much affected by the fireworks. On the contrary, the monks and lamas here maintain a kind of resistance to the cultural invasion of the outside world. They do not welcome too many tourists, even if they create a certain amount of wealth for them. The temple should be a quiet place. The bustling crowd makes it more or less noisy, just like you are studying seriously in the classroom, but someone is dancing happily on the podium. For people like me with a single brain wave, without a guide to explain in detail, I can only wander around like a headless fly, and I can't understand any magical or immortal stories related to it. Here, regardless of gender, age, or age, holding the Buddhist beads in their left hands, with a firm gaze, walking on the holy road that belongs only to them, letting their hands turn the heavy prayer wheel to pray for God's tolerance. The language of time is written on the red walls and brown tiles and mottled stone roads that can be seen everywhere, forming a profound contrast with the blue sky, as if it is the beginning of the holy road leading to the sky. Watching the devout Tibetans and good men and women walking in the long prayer corridor, silently praying and turning the prayer wheels, so that the spread of God and goodness will never stop, I also have the urge to walk seriously once. It takes an hour and a half to turn all the wheels. An unknown solemn ceremony is held in a large scripture hall in the temple, attracting countless tourists to watch. Although there are many tourists, they seem to be infected by this atmosphere, and the noise has been completely drowned in the chanting. Feeling a sense of depression at the scene, I didn't stay here for too long.

Labrang Monastery has the longest prayer wheel in the country. We can walk around the temple clockwise. We don't know much about Tibetan Buddhism, but the bright architecture of the temple deeply attracted us. The whole temple can be roughly divided into two areas: the living area and the main hall area. The living area is mostly white walls and gray tiles, simple and plain. The main color of the main hall area is mostly red and white, with bright colors.

The small hillside in the southeast of the temple is a great place to watch the sunset. We hurried, but still arrived a step too late, and only saw the afterglow of the sunset. Find an open space here and sit on the lawn. The whole temple is in sight. The golden tripod is shining in the afterglow of the sunset. The breeze blows across your face, and you can quietly feel the world change from bright to dim...

Labrang Monastery has a good tradition. The monastery management department has special lamas to give free explanations to everyone, but they require that you follow the group to visit and listen to the explanations at the beginning, and then go on your own to visit and take pictures. Outside Labrang Monastery is the world's longest prayer corridor, which surrounds the entire temple.

The panoramic view is better from the hill opposite the temple. There is an entrance across the small bridge next to the parking lot where you can enter the temple area for a tour. Except for the few large halls and the golden Gongtang Pagoda that we visited, there is no charge for other places in the entire scenic area.

Very Tibetan style, very quiet, very comfortable, stayed in Labrang Monastery for two days and had a good rest

After going down the mountain, we walked around the temple. At this time, the sun was setting and the sky was full of auspicious clouds. A casual photo made the Labrang Monastery even more majestic and magnificent.

We didn't arrive at the scenic spot parking lot until five o'clock. There were not many people. The scenic spot that I saw in the guide was free now starts charging, 60 per person.

The deserted scenic spot parking lot, 10 yuan for parking anywhere. The temple is full of prayer wheels, the longest in the world. Many devout believers bowed their heads with every step. It is still hard to turn the prayer wheels, especially if you keep turning along the road, you will get dizzy after a while. You can't take pictures inside the temple, you can only take a few pictures outside. The temple is very large, with many halls. Learn the three treasures of Tibetan Buddhism: thangka, mandala, and butter painting.

The temple is very big. We arrived late and had difficulty walking, so we couldn't keep up with the main group. We didn't listen to the tour guides and just had a quick tour.

The number of visitors entering Labrang Monastery is restricted, so it is recommended to grasp the time and try to arrive in advance to avoid delaying the trip. Labrang Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It is known as the "Little Tsinghua" of Buddhist colleges. There is the world's longest prayer corridor outside the monastery. It is the filming location of "A World Without Thieves" and is suitable for taking pictures. The ticket is 40 yuan. There are free lama explanations inside, but you need to follow the signs to find it, otherwise it is easy to walk out. The lama's tour of the six halls of Labrang Monastery is basically over. The lamas will have concentrated classes around 11:30 in the morning. Those who are interested can make good time.

I read the guide before coming here, but I was still charged. It's free to listen to the explanation of the largest hall. You can just follow the explanation of other halls. When walking, don't enter from the ticket booth. There are entrances everywhere in the scenic spot. You don't need to buy a ticket if you don't enter the main hall! ! Don't enter from the ticket booth! Don't enter from the ticket booth!



The only difference between buying a ticket and not buying one is whether you can take this photo

The temple is very large, and it takes 15 minutes to walk directly from the entrance to the Buddha Hall area, nearly 1 kilometer. The tour guide does not enter the temple, and there are lamas inside who give random explanations.

Labrang Monastery is first and foremost a Tibetan Buddhist institution of higher learning, and only secondarily a tourist attraction. Except for a few small shops not far from the entrance, the level of commercialization is very low.

Labrang Monastery is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelugpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It was founded in the early Qing Dynasty. Labrang means the residence of the highest living Buddha. It is also equivalent to the "university" of Tibetan Buddhism, which shows its high status. The monks are responsible for the tour. It takes about an hour.

The purpose of coming to Xiahe was to visit Labrang Monastery, and it lived up to our expectations. There were red lamas everywhere, as well as Tibetan people of all colors, and each temple carried the faith of countless people.

Next to the parking lot, you can see the panoramic view from the small hill where the Buddha is sunbathing.

The temple is full of temples, like a village. Lamas will take you to visit the open temples and provide explanations in Chinese.

There are senior citizen tickets, and those over 70 years old are free with their ID cards.

The temple is very large, with many monks and even more tourists. Although the temple is worth a visit, the visiting experience is actually not very good.

It has the longest prayer corridor in the country, which takes about an hour to walk through.

If you enter from the main entrance, you need to pay a ticket, 40 yuan. If you enter from the south side of the temple near the south slope, there is no one guarding the gate and no ticket is required.

I did not go inside to visit, because I have no knowledge of Buddhist temples, but I just respected them, so I walked around the famous prayer wheel corridor outside, and watched the Labrang Monastery in the sunset from the Buddha drying platform. At an altitude of 3,400 meters, I felt the breeze, basked in the sun, watched the changes in light, and saw the piety of the Tibetans, which increased my respect for them.

At Labrang Monastery, there will be official tour guides to lead everyone on a tour, with groups of about 100 people, and the tour time is less than an hour, but the tour guide will move very fast, and it is very likely that you will lose the guide while taking photos. Monks in red robes can be seen everywhere in the monastery, rushing to and fro.

In Labrang Monastery, everyone has to walk through the prayer corridor or circumambulate the mountain. It takes about two hours to walk through the prayer corridor. If you turn all the prayer wheels, you will get great blessings. People with more sincere hearts will choose to circumambulate the mountain outside the temple, which will take longer.

At Labrang Monastery, I caught up with the monks' evening practice. Everyone sat on the ground in the natural environment. This is an experience that has never been and cannot be had in the city. Stay away from right and wrong, and your heart will be calm.

The temple is big, and the guides are all monks in the temple. The guides are free for groups of 30 people.

If you just want to visit the temple, you don't need to buy a ticket. But if you want to enter the temple, you need to buy a 40 yuan ticket. Tourists who buy tickets will be led into the temple by a lama and given a detailed explanation. It is forbidden to wear hats and sunglasses when entering the temple, and of course, taking photos is not allowed. In addition to the Butter Flower Temple, there are rows of exquisite butter-made artworks. Since these artworks only last for one year, all tourists can take photos as souvenirs.

The Labrang Monastery has a very long prayer corridor, which is rare in the world. It was a little shocking when I saw it for the first time. I walked along the prayer corridor and walked around the temple for almost two-thirds of the way. At a staircase without a door, I followed a few lamas into the temple. After walking around, I unexpectedly encountered lamas debating in a temple. The atmosphere was warm and lively.

Friends who are interested in learning more about Tibetan Buddhism can go and have a look...