Kumbum Monastery

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Spot Introduction

Kumbum Monastery, the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug sect of Tibetan Buddhism, is renowned for its four major arts: “Butter Sculpture”, “Mural”, “Applique”, and “Colored Sculpture”. It is the main temple of the Gelug sect in Qinghai. Built in the 12th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty (1379), it has a history of more than 600 years. It is the activity center of Tibetan Buddhism in Northwest China and enjoys a high status in the Tibetan Buddhist community.

The temple, built against the mountain, covers an area of more than 600 mu and consists of 25 halls, pagodas, and monastic dwellings of various sizes. The architectural complex is magnificent, blending the essence of Han and Tibetan architectural art. The Great Golden Tile Hall is the most magnificent building in the temple. Its roof is covered with pure gold tiles, shining brilliantly under the sun. The temple treasures a large number of precious cultural relics, including plaques and ritual implements granted by emperors of past dynasties, as well as exquisite Buddhist artworks.

Kumbum Monastery is not only a religious holy place but also an important cultural center. There are four major colleges in the temple: Exoteric Buddhism, Esoteric Buddhism, Astronomy, and Medicine, which have cultivated a large number of eminent monks. Religious activities such as “Sunning the Buddha” and “Tiaoqian” attract tens of thousands of believers and tourists every year. The butter sculpture art in the temple is renowned both at home and abroad, and the Butter Sculpture Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first lunar month every year is an artistic feast.

As a living fossil of Tibetan Buddhist culture, Kumbum Monastery was listed as a national key cultural relics protection unit in 2001 and was selected as a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2012. It is not only a treasure of Chinese Buddhist art but also an important base for studying Tibetan Buddhist culture. It plays an important role in promoting national unity and inheriting traditional culture.

Must-Visit Attractions

  1. Dajinwa Hall

    • Main Building
    • Buddhist Holy Site
    • Suggested Visiting Time: 60 minutes

  2. Xiaojinwa Hall

    • Butter Sculpture Exhibition
    • Artistic Masterpieces
    • Suggested Visiting Time: 45 minutes

  3. Jiujian Hall

    • Stacked Embroidery Art
    • Wall Painting Display
    • Suggested Visiting Time: 40 minutes

  4. Butter Sculpture Art Gallery

    • Unique Craftsmanship
    • Cultural Exhibition
    • Suggested Visiting Time: 30 minutes

Visiting Suggestions

  1. Optimal Touring Route

    • Dajinwa Hall → Xiaojinwa Hall → Jiujian Hall → Art Gallery
    • Follow the tour guide’s explanation route

  2. Visiting Schedule

    • Visit in the morning
    • Avoid religious assemblies
    • Mind your posture

  3. Practical Tips

    • No photography
    • Move clockwise
    • Respect beliefs

Transportation Guide

  • Airplane: Xining Caojiabao Airport
  • Train: Xining Station
  • Bus: Line 909 special route to Ta’er Temple
  • Self-drive: About 40 minutes from Xining city center
  1. Butter tea
  2. Highland barley wine
  3. Grilled lamb eaten with hands
  4. Tsamba (roasted highland barley flour)

Special Reminders

  1. Respect beliefs
  2. Dress appropriately
  3. No smoking
  4. No photography
  5. Beware of altitude sickness
  6. Prepare cash
  7. Suitable for cultural tours
  8. Carry proper identification.