Drigung Monastery

Drigung Monastery is an important Buddhist temple about 150 kilometers (90 miles) east of Lhasa, Tibet. It owns one of the three most famous Sky Burial stages in the world. Each year, many tourists come here to watch the solemn sky burial. In addition, the Temple’s Lingta Hall is called the most solemn hall in the world, and many Buddhist relics are displayed in it.

Drigung Monastery is the mother monastery of the Drigung Kagyu tradition, founded in 1179. The monastery's buildings were almost destroyed during wars but were restored afterward. Today, there are more than 300 monks in the monastery. Standing between cliffs high in the mountains, the monastery looks strangely magnificent from a distance.
 

There are mainly 5 halls in the Temple. In these buildings in symmetric layout, you can see Buddhist works with more than 100 years of history. Also, many halls display the remains of famous monks of generations. In addition, India’s 8 Buddha tombs were also built in the temple.

It is said that there are three sky burial stages in the world- one in India, one at Samye Monastery, and one at Drigung Monastery. Among them, the stage at Drigung Monastery is the biggest and highest. 

According to legend, the soul of a person who has undergone Abhiseka (consecration by pouring water on the head) by a living Buddha, will leave the body after death and go to heaven rather than hell. Thus, many people bring the bodies of their deceased relatives here for celestial burial in spite of the long distance. When observing the performance, get permission from the relatives of the deceased before taking a photo, and obey the local customs. View the proceedings quietly and respectfully.

Usually, sky burials in Drigung Monastery begin at 8:00 a.m. and end before 12:00 p.m. Note that there are no sky burials at 8th, 18th, and 28th each month in Tibetan calendar.
 

At 5:30 a.m. and 6:30 a.m. each day, there is a bus departing from Tibet Market Supervision & Admin. Bur (28 Yutuo Rd, 28, Lhasa, Tibet), which is 500 meters (550 yards) far from Jokhang Temple, to Drigung Monastery directly. It will take you about 3 hours for a single trip and the price is CNY100 per person for a round trip. 

6:00 a.m. – 16:00 p.m. from Monday to Sunday
 

CNY45 each person
 

You can go to Dezhong which is 7 kilometers (4.5 miles) far from Drigung Monastery to taste authentic Tibetan meals with local families. There are also many Sichuan food restaurants in Mozhugongka County, about 63 kilometers (37 miles) from the Monastery.

1. Dezhong Temple: Hidden high in the mountains, it is a famous self-cultivation retreat for nuns, about 14 kilometers (9 miles) away from the monastery.

2. Dezhong Hot Spring: Wanting to have a good rest after visiting the monastery? Then Dezhong Hot Spring, also about 14 kilometers (9 miles) away, is a good choice for its ample water and comfortable temperature; but remember to take your own bathing suit because facilities there are very basic. For your health’s sake, please don’t bathe for too long.