Religious site · SICHUAN
Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa)
塔公寺 · Tǎgōng Sì
About
A venerated Tibetan Buddhist monastery on the open grasslands of the Garzê plateau, said to house a replica of the Jokhang Temple's most sacred Jowo Shakyamuni statue.
Tagong Monastery — known in Tibetan as Lhagong Gompa — stands on the edge of a vast expanse of highland grassland in the Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of western Sichuan. The monastery's founding legend holds that the princess Wencheng, travelling from Chang'an to Tibet to marry King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century, stopped here and left behind a replica of the sacred Jowo Shakyamuni statue she was transporting to Lhasa. The place where the statue rested became the site of the monastery.
The monastery is active and home to several hundred monks. Its prayer halls are richly decorated with thangka paintings, butter lamps, and bronze statues. The main assembly hall contains the replica Jowo statue that gives the monastery its particular sanctity among Tibetan pilgrims. Kora (circumambulation) paths run around the monastery complex, with prayer-wheel corridors and stupa gardens.
The surrounding Tagong grasslands are among the most accessible high-altitude Tibetan grasslands in Sichuan. In summer, Tibetan nomads graze yaks on the plateau, and the grasslands turn a vivid green dotted with wildflowers. Horse riding is available from local operators. The Yala Snow Mountain (5,820 m) dominates the skyline to the south.
Tagong is a quiet, authentic alternative to the heavily-visited Tibetan cultural sites near Chengdu. Accommodation is simple; staying in a wooden guesthouse near the monastery is recommended for early-morning access before tour groups arrive.
How to get there
From Kangding, bus or shared minibus to Tagong (approximately 2–3 hours). Kangding is reached from Chengdu by bus (6–7 hours) or flight.
When to visit
June to September when the grasslands are green. The annual Horse Racing Festival in late July is a spectacular cultural event.
Other attractions in Kangding
Other religious sites in China
- Big Wild Goose Pagoda大雁塔
Tang-dynasty Buddhist pagoda, built 652 CE to house the sutras brought back by Xuanzang. 64m, seven storeys, climbable.
- Donglin Temple (East Forest Monastery)东林寺
One of the most important Buddhist monasteries in Chinese history, founded in 386 CE at the foot of Mount Lu and considered the birthplace of Pure Land Buddhism in China.
- Drepung Monastery哲蚌寺
UNESCO · Once the largest monastery in the world (10,000+ monks). 8 km west of Lhasa. Active Gelugpa monastery; debating courtyard sessions in the afternoon.
- Famen Temple法门寺
1,700-year-old Buddhist temple 110 km west of Xi'an. The 1987 discovery of a finger relic of the Buddha in its underground crypt was a major archaeological event.
- Ganden Monastery甘丹寺
The mother monastery of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, founded in 1409 by Tsongkhapa atop Wangbur Mountain 47 km east of Lhasa, offering sweeping plateau views and an important kora trail.
- Gyantse Kumbum Stupa江孜白居寺
A nine-storey mandala stupa built in 1427 containing 108 chapels on multiple floors, considered one of the finest examples of Tibetan religious architecture and the most important landmark in Gyantse.
- Hanging Temple悬空寺
1,500-year-old wooden temple complex pinned to the side of a 75m cliff at Mt Heng. Engineered with horizontal posts driven into the rock face.
- Jade Buddha Temple玉佛寺
Active urban Buddhist temple in central Shanghai. Famous for two life-size jade Buddhas brought from Burma in 1882.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa) cost to visit?
- Adult entry to Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa) is ¥30, ¥15 for children. Entry to main halls. Photography permitted in most areas.
- When is Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa) open?
- Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa) opening hours: Monastery open 8am–6pm. Grounds accessible at all times.
- How long do you need at Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa)?
- Allow 2–5 hours for Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa). Add buffer time if you plan to visit at peak season or include nearby sights in the same trip.
- When is the best time to visit Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa)?
- June to September when the grasslands are green. The annual Horse Racing Festival in late July is a spectacular cultural event.
- How do you get to Tagong Temple (Lhagong Gompa)?
- From Kangding, bus or shared minibus to Tagong (approximately 2–3 hours). Kangding is reached from Chengdu by bus (6–7 hours) or flight.
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