CityBuddy
Drepung Monastery
Best time to visit
Morning visits provide the best lighting and a chance to catch the monks' animated debate sessions. Avoid afternoons when it gets crowded.
Budget tips
Entry is typically around 85 CNY, but buying tickets online in advance may save a small fee. Students enjoy discounted tickets on weekdays.
Recommended for
Culture seekers, Spiritual travelers, Photography enthusiasts
Plan your visit
2-3 hours
About
Quick facts: A single day can see over 1,500 monks practicing Tibetan Buddhism within its walls. Sprawling across 35 hectares, it was once the largest monastery in the world by population.
Highlights: An intriguing tradition allows visitors to witness the daily debate sessions among monks, where philosophy clashes in vibrant, rhythmic exchanges. The monastery’s Golden Hall houses one of Tibet's largest Buddha statues, a dazzling 15 meters tall.
Insider tips
- Dress in layers as weather shifts quickly at altitude.
- Bring a camera for the hall’s detailed murals and the vibrant debates.
- Start early to avoid tourist groups and get prime spots in the debate courtyard.
- Respect monastery rules by not touching sacred objects and maintaining silence where requested.
Where to Stay in Lhasa
Selected by City Buddy based on guest reviews and proximity to top attractions
Search all hotels in LhasaPowered by agoda
