Located in Lusha'er Town, Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province, China, Ta'er Monastery is about 25 kilometers away from the center of Xining. It is one of the six major monasteries of the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism and was rated as a national 5A-level tourist attraction in 2012. The scenic area covers an area of approximately 450,000 square meters and has more than 9,300 buildings (units). The architectural complex is built along the mountain, distributed on one gully and two slopes of Lotus Mountain, integrating Han and Tibetan architectural art styles.
Ta'er Monastery is famous for the "Three Wonders of Art"—murals, appliqué embroidery, and butter sculptures. The monastery also houses a large collection of Buddhist scriptures and academic works in history, philosophy, medicine, and other fields, making it an important treasure trove of Tibetan religious culture.
History and Culture
Ta'er Monastery was built at the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug School. Legend has it that when Tsongkhapa was born, a white sandalwood tree grew from the spot where his umbilical cord blood dripped, and a Buddha image of Shakyamuni (Lion's Roar Buddha) appeared on its leaves. In 1379 (the 12th year of the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty), his mother, Sangsa Aqie, with the help of believers, built the "Lianju Pagoda" (Lotus Gathering Pagoda) using the sandalwood tree and the Lion's Roar Buddha image sent by Tsongkhapa as the core. This was the earliest structure of Ta'er Monastery.
In 1560 (the 39th year of the Jiajing period of the Ming Dynasty), Zen master Renqin Zongzhe Jianzan built a meditation room beside the pagoda to gather monks for meditation. In 1577, a Maitreya Hall was added, marking the initial formation of Ta'er Monastery, named "Gonben Xianbalin" (meaning "Maitreya Pure Land with Hundreds of Thousands of Buddha Images"). After multiple expansions, its scale significantly increased under the auspices of the 4th Tashilhunpo Living Buddha, Lobsang Dargyeling, in the 17th century.
In 1949, the enthronement ceremony of the 10th Panchen Erdeni, Choekyi Gyaltsen, was held here. In 1961, Ta'er Monastery was listed by the State Council as one of the first batch of national key cultural relics protection units, becoming an important religious and cultural heritage.
Main Attractions
Golden Tile Hall (Da Jinwa Dian)
Known in Tibetan as "Saidong Qinmo," this is the main hall of Ta'er Monastery, built in 1379 with a construction area of 456 square meters. It houses a 12.5-meter-high golden pagoda in memory of Tsongkhapa. The pagoda's top is covered with gilded copper tiles, and the hall's roof is decorated with auspicious ornaments such as treasure bottles and golden deer. The exterior walls are inlaid with hemp copper mirrors. The hall also contains precious cultural relics such as thangkas and sutras, as well as the dharma body statue of the 9th Panchen Lama and the stupa tombs of eminent monks.
Grand Sutra Hall (Da Jingtang)
Known in Tibetan as "Tsoqen Dukang," this is the largest sutra hall in the monastery, built in 1612 with a construction area of 2,750 square meters, capable of accommodating over 2,000 monks for chanting. The hall features 168 Tibetan-style prism columns, a roof decorated with gilded treasure bottles, and statues of Maitreya, Tsongkhapa, and other Buddhas. The four walls are painted with murals of Buddhist stories, serving as the main venue for the Exoteric School.
Small Golden Tile Hall (Xiao Jinwa Dian)
Known in Tibetan as "Zankang Qinmo," this two-story building combines Tibetan and Han architectural styles, with exterior walls decorated with copper mirrors and hemp. The hall houses statues of five Dharma protectors, and the corridor displays specimens of wild animals such as yaks, tigers, and leopards. The second floor features a statue of Padmasambhava, and the third floor houses statues of Tsongkhapa and his two main disciples.
Eight Treasures Wish-Fulfilling Pagodas (Ba Bao Ru Yi Ta)
Located in front of the monastery square, these eight white pagodas symbolize the eight great merits of Shakyamuni and were built in 1776. Each pagoda has a distinct shape, representing the Buddha's birth, enlightenment, first sermon, and other significant events. They are one of the iconic landscapes of Ta'er Monastery.
Butter Sculpture Gallery (Su You Hua Guan)
The gallery displays butter sculptures, one of the "Three Wonders of Art" of Ta'er Monastery. These works are made by mixing butter with mineral pigments to shape Buddha images, landscapes, flowers, and birds. Created over months in low-temperature environments, they showcase exquisite craftsmanship and high artistic value.
Cuisine
Tibetan Yogurt
Made from fermented yak milk, this yogurt is thick, tangy, and often sweetened with sugar or honey. Rich in probiotics and nutrients, it can be tasted at Tibetan restaurants around the scenic area.
Hand-Grabbed Mutton
A traditional Qinghai dish, this mutton is boiled in plain water to preserve its original flavor. Tender and juicy, it is served with garlic paste and pepper salt. Authentic versions can be experienced at halal restaurants near the scenic area.
Niangpi (Steamed Wheat Noodles)
Made from wheat or mung bean flour, this cold noodle dish is mixed with chili oil, vinegar, garlic paste, and other seasonings. It features a smooth and chewy texture, perfect for a spicy and appetizing meal, available at street stalls and restaurants.
Tianpei (Fermented Barley/Oats)
Made by fermenting highland barley or oats, this dessert has a sweet aroma and soft texture, serving as both a thirst-quencher and hunger-reliever. It can be purchased at snack shops around the scenic area.
Admission Tickets
Peak Season (April 1 – October 31): Full price 70 CNY, Half price 35 CNY
Off-Season (November 1 – March 31): Full price 40 CNY, Half price 20 CNY
Ticket prices may be adjusted slightly, but the difference is minimal. To avoid on-site queuing, tickets can be purchased in advance through online ticketing platforms. Seniors, children, persons with disabilities, students, and military personnel can enjoy free admission or half-price discounts with valid identification.
Opening Hours
Open daily year-round from 08:00 to 17:00
Opening hours may be adjusted seasonally; please refer to the scenic area's official announcements for updates.
Recommended Itinerary
Recommended route: Entrance → Eight Treasures Wish-Fulfilling Pagodas → Small Golden Tile Hall → Grand Sutra Hall → Golden Tile Hall → Maitreya Hall → Butter Sculpture Gallery → Kalachakra Academy → Sutra Repository
The entire tour takes approximately 2–3 hours, with flexible staying time based on interests.
Transportation
- Public Bus: Take bus routes 909 or 304 from Xining urban area directly to Ta'er Monastery Station.
- Shuttle Bus: Daily shuttles from Xinning Road Bus Station to Lusha'er Town, Huangzhong District; walk about 10 minutes after arrival.
- Self-Driving: Exit at Xining South from the Beijing-Tibet Expressway, follow the Beijing-Tibet Expressway auxiliary road → Beijing-Tibet Expressway → Xida First-Class Highway, approximately 30 minutes drive.
- Taxi: A taxi from Xining urban area to Ta'er Monastery costs about 50–80 CNY (30 minutes drive).
Must-See Attractions
- Golden Tile Hall: The core building of Ta'er Monastery, featuring gilded pagodas and precious cultural relics.
- Grand Sutra Hall: Experience Tibetan Buddhist chanting and admire mural and column art.
- Eight Treasures Wish-Fulfilling Pagodas: Iconic landmarks with stories of the Buddha's eight merits.
- Butter Sculpture Gallery: Witness the exquisite craftsmanship of one of the "Three Wonders of Art."
Travel Tips
- Allocate half a day for the visit and avoid the peak tourist group hours before 10:00 AM.
- Wear comfortable sports shoes as the scenic area involves much walking and stairs.
- Hire a professional guide (approximately 100 CNY per session) to gain in-depth knowledge of religious culture.
- Prepare sunscreen in summer and warm clothing in winter, as there is a large temperature difference between day and night.
Notes
- Photography and video recording are strictly prohibited inside the monastery; some areas are restricted to female visitors.
- Respect Tibetan customs; do not touch Buddha statues, scriptures, or monks' ritual instruments.
- Remove hats before entering halls, and avoid wearing shorts, short skirts, or revealing clothing.
- Avoid strenuous exercise at high altitudes; visitors with physical discomfort are advised to prepare medications in advance.
- Be cautious on the steep paths within the scenic area.