Cultural Heritage / Trip Ideas
The Kumbum Monastery in Xining, Qinghai Province is one of the most important sites of Tibetan Buddhism along the Silk Road.
The Kumbum Monastery in Xining, Qinghai Province is one of the most important sites of Tibetan Buddhism along the Silk Road.
Established in 1583, the Kumbum Monastery is also called the “Little Tower Temple” and has four monastic colleges around its temples. The complex includes almost 10000 rooms and 52 halls that combine Han and Tibetan styles. The monastery is famous for its annual Sun Buddha Festival, and its barbolas, ghee sculptures and wall paintings.
The festival is celebrated every April and June. One of the four Thangkas enshrined in the monastery, namely the “Lion’s Roar Buddha”, “Sakyamuni”, “Tsongkhapa” or the “Diamond Hammer Buddha”, is displayed and attracts a large audience including lamas from different sects and tourists from abroad. After the ceremony lamas wear all kinds of masks, perform Tibetan dramas, and do the cham dance while chanting.
It is said there are two specialized institutes for making ghee sculptures, traditionally called “the upper institute” and “the lower institute”. The two compete with each other by producing excellent artworks. Each one has around 20 monks who enter the institute in their mid-teens and devote their lives to the art.
Best time to visit: July to August
Entry: 80 yuan/person
Transport: Take a train or airplane to Xining City, then take the bus to the Kumbum Monastery .
Opening hours: 08:00 a.m. – 05:00 p.m.