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Songzanlin Monastery is a must-visit in Shangrila, Yunnan, China. This Tibetan Buddhist structure is considered the largest and most significant in Yunnan. The monastery exudes a mysterious and magnificent religious beauty, attracting countless visitors. Join Mytour to explore Songzanlin Monastery through the following article.
About Songzanlin Monastery
Songzanlin Monastery, also known as Sumtseling Monastery, sits on a hillside about 5 km from Shangrila at an altitude of 3,300 meters. Covering 30 hectares, the monastery holds many ancient religious and historical treasures. The stunning natural scenery adds to the sacred and reverent atmosphere of this place.
This structure is modeled after the Potala Palace in Lhasa, China, but on a smaller scale. The monastery was built in 1679 and has a history of over 340 years. As a result, it is steeped in the unique and mystical culture of the Tibetans. Over time, the monastery was completely destroyed but then restored to its original state.
Surrounding the monastery is a vast expanse of green grassland (Source: Collection)
In addition to being a religious center, Songzanlin Monastery is also a famous tourist destination. Here, there are many Buddha statues and beautiful wall paintings. The monastery has more than 700 lamaseries, making it the place with the most lamaseries compared to other temples in Tibet. The structure was built by the 5th Dalai Lama. During its heyday, the number of monks in the monastery reached 3,000.
Many people say that this destination will bring peace and happiness. The monastery is completely isolated from the outside world. If you want to learn about Tibetan Buddhism, there is no better place than here. You are sure to gain a lot of knowledge and have a very interesting experience.
Ideal Time to Visit Songzanlin Monastery
Shangrila, situated at an altitude of 3,300 meters, has a cool climate. Surrounded by vast mountain forests, hills, and clear blue lakes, it is likened to a note in the world's geographical painting due to its beauty.
The best time to travel to China and visit Songzanlin Monastery is during the dry season. This is also the time when this sacred land hosts many unique festivals. From March to September is the ideal time to visit. Through this, you will gain a better understanding of the customs and culture of the Tibetan people.
Songzanlin Monastery exudes both grandeur and mystery (Source: Collection)
In May, the Saga Dawa festival will take place, honoring the birth of the Buddha and marking the end of three other festivals in Tibet. July is the time for the Tibetan Knife Pole Festival, featuring dance performances, singing, and interesting folk games.
The Mystical Tales of Songzanlin Monastery
Surrounding Songzanlin Monastery are many mystical tales. No one knows when these stories originated, but over time, they have become popular, helping the monastery gain more recognition. These stories are imbued with a sacred and mysterious spiritual essence. Here are some typical stories about this monastery.
There are many mystical stories related to the monastery (Source: Collection)
- Songzanlin Monastery was successfully built with the help of the One-legged god. According to legend, he assisted the builders in transporting heavy stones by grasping them with his foot, making the transportation process faster and easier.
- Another story is that this monastery was built on a very sacred land. Here resides a terrifying mountain god, Heavenly King Mountain. Followers believe that building the monastery here has appeased the deity, who has helped them avoid disasters and protected the people.
- Many also believe that Songzanlin Monastery was once a hiding place for a Tibetan king. While fleeing from his opponents' agents, the king sought refuge here.
- Or another story suggests that the monastery was built on this hillside at the advice of a deity. This is why many spiritual practitioners, from a young age, have wanted to come here.
The Unique and Characteristic Architecture of Songzanlin Monastery
From a distance, the monastery impresses visitors with its curved, gold-plated roof. Songzanlin Monastery resembles a Tibetan watchtower with 5 floors corresponding to 5 gates. To reach the main prayer hall, visitors have to climb 146 steps.
Surrounding the main hall are other auxiliary temples and hundreds of rooms. These are places where monks rest and chant prayers. All of this blends together to create a space full of spirituality. Additionally, the monastery has many other areas, such as shrines, dining halls, towers, ponds, etc.
The carvings in the monastery are very meticulous and detailed (Image source: Collection)
The monastery is built of limestone, reflecting the style of the 18th century. There are 8 buildings here, each with its own architecture and name. The common feature is that each building has exquisite carvings. Among them, the tallest building is the Lusheng Tower, and the largest is the Buddha Hall.
Visitors here have the opportunity to admire unique artifacts. Along with that are paintings of Buddhas, deities, miracles, and historical events of Tibet. Among them, the statue of Vairocana Buddha in the main hall impresses visitors the most. The statue is made of 340 kg of gold and carved on a precious stone. Moreover, Songzanlin Monastery is also a place to preserve ancient scriptures of the world.
Unmissable Stops at Songzanlin Monastery
Songzanlin Monastery has a lot of interesting things for you to explore. If you have the opportunity to set foot in this sacred place, don't miss any corners! Let's see what makes the monastery so special!
1. Bell and Drum Towers
This is one of the most famous areas at Songzanlin Monastery. These two towers were built in the 18th century on a large compound. Both towers are quite large, about 30 meters high. The towers are made of wood, with planks nailed and dovetailed together.
The structures are highlighted in gold against the backdrop of the blue sky (Image source: Collection)
The Bell and Drum Towers are used for religious ceremonies at Songzanlin Monastery. Important Tibetan Buddhist festivals are also often held here. It would be a pity to miss such a meaningful and important stopping point.
2. Main Assembly Hall
The Main Assembly Hall at Songzanlin Monastery is where monks gather and hold discussions. Daily prayers are also conducted here. The hall is spacious, accommodating up to 1,600 Lamas. It is beautifully decorated and solemn. It also features unique architecture.
Songzanlin Monastery is very large, and it will take quite some time to fully explore it (Image source: Collection)
The hall is supported by 108 pillars. Surrounding it are exquisite paintings and artworks. On palm leaves, ancient scriptures are written. The images and patterns on the walls are also very sharp. They depict the realms of Heaven, Earth, demons, ghosts, animals, and humans.
3. Maitreya Temple
A prominent area you cannot miss when exploring Songzanlin Monastery is the Maitreya Temple. The temple is not only a place of worship for Buddha but also houses documents related to Buddhism. The architecture and decoration here are also impressive to visitors.
The monastery stands out with its curved golden roof tiles (Image source: Collection)
The ceiling and walls are decorated with rich floral patterns, creating a solemn and sacred space. The sculptures of deities and Buddhas are meticulously carved, lifelike. Therefore, you will feel as if you are being welcomed by divine beings.
4. Library Area
If you want to learn about Tibetan Buddhism in particular and Chinese Buddhism in general, then come here. The library of Songzanlin Monastery contains many valuable documents. It preserves many rare scriptures, some of which are even engraved in silver and gold.
You will feel peaceful and serene when you set foot here (Image source: Collection)
The library also contains documents from ancient missionaries. This will give you an objective view of the development of Buddhism in China. If you are knowledgeable and like to explore, you will get lost here.
5. Dratsang Hall
Dratsang Hall is the earliest building at Songzanlin Monastery. The hall is 140 meters high and has a floor area of 1,500 square meters. This area houses many large statues of Buddhism. These statues have a profound and significant spiritual meaning.
A religious structure at Songzanlin Monastery (Image source: Collection)
The statues are made from various materials. Some are cast in bronze, silver, and even gold. This creates a space with sparkling reliefs. At the same time, this hall is also where monks meditate.
6. Golden Tile Temple
The Golden Tile Temple at Songzanlin Monastery is also known as Zong Keba (Tsongkhapa Hall). This temple was built in 1679. The structure is 36 meters high, covering an area of 789 square meters. The golden roof has attracted visitors. Inside is a giant 18-meter-high statue of the Buddha Zong KeBa. This is also the first Buddha of Tibet.
Some tips to consider when visiting Songzanlin Monastery
For first-time visitors to Songzanlin Monastery, you'll likely have many surprises. New journeys always contain many new things, especially in the mysterious religious space like Shangrila, there are many things to pay attention to. Here, Mytour will suggest some tips for you to pocket!
1. Visiting hours
Songzanlin Monastery opens its doors to visitors from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You need to pay attention to this to be able to arrange a suitable time and schedule. The monastery is quite large, so you will probably need a lot of time to explore it all.
2. Weather in Shangrila
Due to its high location, the weather in Shangrila is quite cold and dry. Although sometimes sunny, the temperature is quite low. Therefore, remember to bring warm clothes. Also, bring sunscreen to protect your skin from the sun. If you visit Songzanlin Monastery in winter, you need to prepare more. Thermal clothing, scarves, hats, and gloves are essential.
Remember to check the weather forecast before going to Shangrila! (Source: Collection)
3. Entrance fee
To visit Songzanlin Monastery, you need to buy a ticket. The entrance fee here is about 100 Chinese Yuan, equivalent to 35 dollars. You can buy tickets at the counter or online. If you buy online, you need to research carefully and buy from official websites.
To save more time, you can hire a guide for a thorough introduction. Note that the guides here speak Chinese or English. This is very useful for those who want to learn about Tibetan culture and Buddhism.
4. Religious ceremonies
Songzanlin Monastery is a famous, sacred, and important religious site. Therefore, you must respect the religious ceremonies here. Proper and modest clothing is the first requirement you must follow. When entering the altar area, do not bring food, drinks, or cigarettes. Some areas prohibit photography, so you need to comply.
Remember to adhere to the rules and requirements when visiting here! (Source: Collection)
Additionally, when visiting Songzanlin Monastery, you need to be in good health. You will have to walk a lot and climb stairs. Therefore, before the trip, you need to prepare enough medicine and necessary health supplies. This will greatly help your journey.
Shangrila, China is a land known for its spirituality. And Songzanlin Monastery is a typical destination in that spiritual journey. You will feel like you are lost in a spiritual, mystical world. If you need to book a tour to China, contact Mytour through the hotline Mytour!
