Drepung Monastery
Draped across Mount Gambo Utse's slope, Drepung was once the world's largest monastery housing 10,000 monks and the seat of the early Dalai Lamas. Its white-walled assembly halls and the August Shoton thangka unveiling remain defining Lhasa sights.
Overview
Quick facts about Drepung Monastery
Draped across Mount Gambo Utse's slope, Drepung was once the world's largest monastery housing 10,000 monks and the seat of the early Dalai Lamas. Its white-walled assembly halls and the August Shoton thangka unveiling remain defining Lhasa sights.
| Type | Monastery |
|---|---|
| Visit length | About 2.5 hours |
| Tickets | Sample price ¥50 |
| Opening hours | 9:00–16:00; Shoton Festival thangka unveiling in August |
How to visit
Practical advice from our Lhasa team.
- Taxi drop-off: Lower gate; uphill walk or shuttle to the assembly hall
- Bus: Route 24 to Drepung Monastery foot of the hill
Hotels near Drepung Monastery
Sorted by walking or driving distance when we have it; otherwise hotels we use in the same city.
Best time to visit
Average daily high and low in °C, and monthly rain in mm. Winter is cold and dry, with fewer visitors and lower hotel prices.
Nearby
Questions
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