Yumbu Lakhang

Yumbu Lakhang

Yumbu Lakhang is the first palace in Tibet, boasting a history of 2100 years. It is an ancient structure in the Yarlung Valley in the vicinity of Tsetang, Lhoka Prefecture, in the southern Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

According to Tibetan traditions, Yumbu Lakhang was erected in 1623 for the first Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsenpo, who descended from the sky with his grandma. Later, Yumbu Lakhang became the summer palace of the 33rd Tibetan king, Songtsen Gampo (604-650 CE) and his Chinese princess, Wencheng. After Songtsen Gampo had transferred the seat of his temporal and spiritual authority to Lhasa, Yumbu Lakhang became a shrine. A thousand years later, during the reign of the 5th Dalai Lama (1617-82), the palace was turned into a monastery for the Gelug school.

Near the palace, there is a spring named Ge’er Spring. Legend has it that the pring water can heal diseases. Hence, after worshiping in Yumbu Lakhang, many come to drink the water in an hope of staying healthy.

Address: Zhaxiciri Mountain at 11km southeast of Tsetang Town, Naidong County, Shannan Prefecture

Entrance ticket: 60 yuan / person