Tsurphu Monastery, Lhasa

Chinese Name：楚布寺

English Name:Tsurphu Monastery/Chubu Monastery

Location: Located in Gurum in Doilungdêqên District（堆龙德庆县) , Lhasa Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China

Admission fee: 40 RMB 

Opening hours:  9：00～17：00

Tsurphu Monastery or Chubu Monastery is a gompa which serves as the traditional seat of the Karmapa（噶玛巴）， the head of the Karma Kagyu （噶玛噶举）lineage of Tibetan Buddhism.The monastery is about 4,300 metres (14,100 feet) above sea level. It was built in the middle of the valley facing south with high mountains surrounding the complex.

History and Development of Tsurphu Monastery.

Tsurphu was founded by Düsum Khyenpa （杜松虔巴），1st Karmapa Lama (1110-1193) in 1159, in 1189 he revisited the site and founded his main seat there. The complex was totally destroyed in 1966 during the Cultural Revolution（文化大革命）. Rangjung Rigpe Dorje(让炯日佩多杰），the 16th Karmapa, began to rebuild it in 1980; he died in 1981. Following the recognition of Ogyen Trinley Dorje ( 噶玛巴·邬金钦列多杰，born 1985) as the 17th Karmapa by the Tai Situpa（大司徒）, the Dalai Lama and China’s governmental offices, he was enthroned at Tsurphu and resided there until he escaped from Tibet to India in 2000.

Tsurphu Monastery has a large number of rare cultural relics, it is more about ancient Tibetan literature, the study of Tibetan politics, economy, religion, etc.  They all have important Historical value. You can feel the most primitive Tibetan Buddhism here.

Lhasa shares convenient transportation, so you can fly to Lhasa Kongga International Airport （拉萨贡嘎国际机场）and then take the airport bus or drive by yourself to the monastery, the whole journey is about 135 km.

1. Traveling Hours: 1 hour

2. Traveling Seasons: All year

3.  High Altitude Sickness Avoiding: Bring enough water and some thick clothes, eating more fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins and so on.

4. Respecting the beliefs of local people.