Songzanlin Lamasery Tour

Duration : approximately 3-4 hours
Private tour price : US$180 per person (1 person); US$ 270 (2 persons); US$ 70 (per extra person)
Transportation:  : by private 4 Wheel Drive

Only 16km west of Banyan Tree Ringha is Ganden Songzanlin Lamasery, the largest Tibetan Buddhist lamasery in Yunnan Province and one of the 13 famous monasteries of Tibetan Kham. The monastery was built in 1674 with the support of the Fifth Dalai Lama and Emperor Kangxi. In the Qing Dynasty, Emperor Yongzheng gave it a Chinese name – Guihua Lamasery. Occupying an area of 33.3 hectares, Songzanlin was built in the style of Potala Palace in Lhasa and hosts many precious cultural treasures. The tour includes a visit of the Main Prayer Hall and a chance to receive blessings from the High Lama, who occasionally bestows Tibetan Blessing Scarfs – Khada – on pilgrims and visitors.

After visiting the monastery you will be driven to the valley at the base of Shiga Mountain for a walk on the edge of the Napa Flood Plains, stopping in villages on the way. Here you can spot the migrating black-neck cranes in the winter months, before continuing your journey to Dukezhong old town for lunch.

Highlights: visiting an ancient monastery of Tibetan Buddhism and discovering some of its many secrets and ceremonies
Local delicacy: local flavor dishes for lunch