Sumtsaling lamasery

Located in Shangri-la County, Yunnan Province, Sumtsaling Monastery, also called Guihua Monastery, is the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan Province. The monastery is around 5 km from Shangri-la County. It is surrounded by villages, forests and mountains which make it a splendid building.

Sumtsaling Monastery covers a total area of 82 acres and situates 3,300 meters above sea level. It was praised as “the little Potala Palace” for its holy and powerful position. The pilgrims, with their foreheads and knees knocking the ground at every step come here to pray.

History of Sumtsaling Monastery

It was first built in 1679 and completed in 1681 during Qing Dynasty. It owes a high reputation among Kang region (a region including Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan Province). It is said that the site of this monastery was selected by the Fifth Dalai Lama according to the divine’s order. The Fifth Dalai Lama named this monastery Gedan Sumtsaling Monastery.

“Gedan” means that the monastery will carry forward the spirit of both the founder of Tibetan Buddhist and Gedan Monastery, Zongbaga. Sumtsa stands for the three spirits Dishi, Mengli and Lousuyousuo. “Ling” stands for the monastery.

In 1936 summer, the Red Army of the Communist Party of China passes by Shangri-la under the command of General Helong. The monks at Sumtsaling Monastery donated food and send guides to Red Army in the purpose of support them anti the invading Japanese army.

Top Things to See There

The buildings here decorated with gilded roofs. The delicate frescos, golden lamps, censers and gilded josses of Buddha make the monastery both magnificent and majestic. Collections here are full of religious features, which almost collected from each dynasty in China.

Zhakang and Jiakng Lamaseries

Zhakang and Jikang Lamaseries are the two main lamaseries here that sharing the same architectural features as Tibetan Buddhist buildings and are famous for their complex and magnificent architectural features.  Zhakang Lamasery is the place for monks to study classic works and doctrine. Behind this lamasery lie the statues of Fifth Dalai Lama and Seventh Dalai Lama.

What’s more, there are many old scriptures written in leaves, Tangka (a kind of picture painted in cloths or papers). There is a tall bell tower, which was beating by monks in the morning, afternoon and evening respectively. People can clearly hear the drumbeats even standing 5 km far away from the bell tower.

Transportation

Visitors can take bus No. 3 from Shangri-la County to get to this wonderful monastery directly or can take a taxi from Shangri-la to there.

Tour Tips

This Tibetan Buddhist monastery is situated 3,300 meters above sea level, so the temperature here is a little bit cold. There will be snowed even in August. It is suggested that visitors should bring jackets and coats, non-slip shoes. And bring sun-blocks, sun-bonnets and sunglasses to protect skins from ultraviolet light.

The rainy season here runs from June through September. And after, the weather will get colder and colder. The spring and summer are the best seasons for people to have a visit here.

Nearby Attractions

There are Baishuitai, or White Water Terrace and Baimang Snow Mountain around Sumtsaling Lamasery. Baishuitai is famous for its beautiful rice terraces, which visitors can enjoy the idyllic surroundings. Baimang Snow Mountain is nice place for those people who would like to have a better view of the glorious snow scenery.