Sakya Monastery
Sakya Monastery, famed for its grey-blue walls banded in red, is the seat of the Sakya school and holds a celebrated library wall of Buddhist scriptures. The complex splits into north and south monasteries, with the south better preserved.
Overview
Quick facts about Sakya Monastery
Sakya Monastery, famed for its grey-blue walls banded in red, is the seat of the Sakya school and holds a celebrated library wall of Buddhist scriptures. The complex splits into north and south monasteries, with the south better preserved.
| Type | Religious Site |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 4,300 m (14,108 ft) |
| Visit length | About 1.5 hours |
| Opening hours | 09:00–17:00 (varies by monastery) |
| Good to know | The scripture wall is only visible at certain hours; ask locally. |
How to visit
Practical advice from our Lhasa team.
- Walk slowly. Steep stairs at altitude are harder — come on your second or third day, not the day you arrive.
- Taxi drop-off: Gate drop-off zone
- Bus: City or county buses stop near the gate
Hotels near Sakya 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
Visiting Shigatse?
Tell us your dates. A Lhasa specialist replies within one working day with a day-by-day plan and a price.