Live Your Best Lives
Rongbuk Monastery is located on the top of "Zhoma" (Tara) Mountain on the east and west sides of Rongbuk Valley below Mount Everest, south of Basong Township, Dingri County, Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet. It is 90 kilometers away from the county seat and has an altitude of 5,800 meters. The terrain is high and cold. It is the highest temple in the world, so the scenery is wonderful.
Rongbuk Monastery was founded in 1899 by the Red Sect lama Ngawang Tenzin Norbu. It is located at the end of the Rongbuk Glacier on the northern foot of Mount Everest, at an altitude of 5,154 meters, about 20 kilometers from the summit of Mount Everest.
The temple is divided into two parts: the old and new. The old part is located 3 kilometers south of the new part, close to Mount Everest. It still houses the cave where Guru Padmasambhava practiced as well as stones and stone pagodas imprinted with Padmasambhava's hand and foot prints. The temple underwent extensive renovations in 1983. The murals here are worth a careful inspection.
Every year, a three-day ritual dance is held on the 15th day of the fourth month of the Tibetan calendar, and a grand ghost-exorcism ceremony is held on the 29th day of the 11th month. According to legend, April 15th marks the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha Shakyamuni. Therefore, various commemorative activities are held during this month, and over time, these activities evolved into a festival centered around the grand prayer wheel.
Recommended play time: 1-2 hours
30 yuan/person
9:00-16:00
Rongbuk Monastery, founded in 1902, is one of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Tibet. It serves as a spiritual hub for pilgrims and climbers aiming for Mount Everest and is culturally significant as a center for Tibetan Buddhism and Himalayan heritage.
Located on the north slope of Mount Everest in Shigatse Prefecture, Tibet. Visitors typically reach Rongbuk Monastery by private vehicle or organized tour from Shigatse or Tingri, followed by a short hike from the roadhead.
No official entrance fee for the monastery itself, but a Tibet Travel Permit is required, obtained offline through a registered tour operator.
Yes, Tibet Travel Permits and organized tour arrangements should be booked at least 1–2 weeks in advance.
2–3 hours are generally sufficient to explore the monastery and nearby viewpoints, longer if trekking around the area.
Guided tours are available through local operators, primarily in English and Chinese; audio guides are not commonly offered.
Start at the entrance, visit the main prayer hall, explore the monks’ quarters, walk around the terraces and prayer flag areas, then continue to nearby viewpoints for Everest photography.
Night visits are not allowed due to safety; special daytime guided tours are available.
The monastery is generally quiet; weekdays and early season (May–June) are the least crowded.
Access may be challenging due to high altitude and uneven terrain; elderly and disabled visitors should exercise caution, and children should be supervised.
Cash is recommended; card or mobile payments may not be accepted at the monastery or nearby facilities.
Basic Tibetan teahouses and small eateries near the monastery; no formal restaurants on-site.
Vegetarian options are available at local teahouses; vegan or halal options are very limited.
Souvenir shops near the monastery sell prayer flags, Tibetan handicrafts, prayer beads, and local textiles.
