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- Location: Xining City, Qinghai Province

Kumbum Monastery (塔爾寺), also known as Ta'er Monastery, is located at the Lusar Town of Huangzhong County, 25 kilometers southwest of Xining, Qinghai Province. The Monastery, built as early as in 1379, is one of the six famous monasteries of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. It's a well-known holy land for Buddhist pilgrims as Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism, was born there.

The whole complex, blending Han and Tibetan architectural styles, is a location of great historical and religious significance, as well as a stunning repository of Tibetan arts and cultural relics. The magnificent Large Golden Tiled Temple is the main building of the monastery. Other major structures include the Small Golden Tiled Hall, the Large Classics Hall, the Longevity Hall and the Eight Towers for Buddha, etc. Designed and arranged ideally in a compact space, they provide a solemn and resplendent view. The most famous three artistic wonders in the monastery are the exquisite frescos, lifelike yak butter sculptures and the amazingly beautiful embroidery.

Travel Tips:

1. The best time to visit the monastery is from May to September.

2. Photographing is forbidden inside the monastery.

3. For accommodation, you may consider the Pilgrimage Hotel or the Ta'er Hotel nearby as an option.

4. There are many local restaurants nearby.

- Hours: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

- Admission: 80 yuan

- How to get there: Take the bus to Kumbum Monastery at the Xining Railway Station, the Xiaoximen Bus Station or the Zhifanglu Bus Station.