Location of the Ganden Monastery:
The Ganden monastery lies in Lhatse County, 57 kilometers east of Lhasa, the Wangbori Mountain with the altitude of 3,800 meters. Besides its typical Tibetan style, it is three times as large as Potala.
Brief introduction of the Ganden Monastery:
Ganden monastery is the greatest and the oldest of the six Gelugpa monasteries, which is called one of "the three principal monasteries" (the other two are Dreprung Monastery and Sera Monastery). At its peak, it had a registration of more than 4,000 monks. Tsongkapa, founder of Gelugpa, established it as the first Gelugpa monastery in 15th century Gelugpa. The full name of Ganden monastery is Xizhuzhuenshengzhou in Chinese. Some scholars call it as "Jushan"or "Jile" monastery. In 1733, Emperor Yongzhen of Qing dynasty bestowed the name "Yongtai". And Gandenpai (Gelug Sect's original name) which means exhortation, also named after the Ganden monastery.
Legend of the Ganden Monastery:
A legend says that when Tsong Khapa was born, there was a Buddhist tree growing from the bleeding cut of his umbilical cord. And there was an image of a lion roaring towards Buddha on every leaf on this tree that had 100,000 leaves.
Transportation of the Ganden Monastery:
You can take a mini bus in the square in front of the Jokhang Monastery. The bus leaves for the Gandain Monastery at 6:30 and back at 14:00.
It costs 35 yuan for going and back and takes two hours one way. The monastery provides simple lodge for 12 yuan each.
Tips shoud pay attention at Ganden Monastery:
1. The admission is 15 yuan.
2. Take bus on the Jokhang square, off at 7:00~7:30A.M. and back at14:00F.M.everyday,and two hours route. RMB 20 for one round-trip ticket.
3. Two hours is sufficient for a tour。
4. Open hours:9:00--16:00Open hours:9:00--16:00
