Best Time to Visit Tashilunpo Monastery: Cham Dance Festival and Tibetan Buddha Unfolding Festival
Tashilhunpo Monastery is open for visitors all year round. This magnificent religious building was first constructed in 1447 and has remained well-preserved after hundreds of years of erosion by wind and rain. No matter when you come, you can always feel the strong religious atmosphere here and witness the world's tallest and largest copper statue of the Qiangba Buddha with your own eyes. If your schedule permits, there are two special time points each year that are perfect for witnessing some unique scenes.
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery during the Tibetan Buddha Unfolding Festival
On the 14th day to 16th day of the fifth month of Tibetan calendar every year, Tashilhunpo Monastery holds the Buddha Exhibition ceremony every morning. A hundred monks carry a huge Thangka about 30 meters long and 20 meters wide, climbing up the steep stone steps slowly, unfolding the Thangka of Sakyamuni slowly in the sunlight. Tashilhunpo Monastery is displaying different thangka statues of Buddha for the three days. On the first day, the one on display is "Past Buddha", which means to remind people of the past. The next day's exhibition was "Present Buddha", inviting people to pray for happiness in this life. On the third day, the "Future Buddha" was on display, evoking people's yearning for the future. When the Buddha thangka is unfurled, the monks chant sutras loudly, and the believers kneel down to kowtow and offer hadas to pray for blessings. The scene is sacred and magnificent. Then, Tashilhunpo Monastery also holds large-scale chanting and summoning ceremonies.
Visit Tashilhunpo Monastery during the Cham Dance Festival
Cham Dance is one of the national intangible cultural heritages of China, and you can witness this traditional Cham Dance Festival praying for national peace and prosperity at the Tashilhunpo Monastery for three days every August of the Tibetan calendar.
As a sacrificial activity in religious monasteries, the Cham Dance is a large-scale dance with elements of a dance drama, usually performed by dozens of monks. The masks come in various colors, such as those with ox heads and lion heads. The clothing is luxurious, with most of the garments being silk and satin dragon robes, featuring unique styles and bold colors. The props are very unique. The weapons such as knives, axes, swords and halberds are all about one foot long and exquisitely designed. Such a vibrant dance cannot be separated with a large accompaniment band, so not only your ears but also your ears are influenced by this religious culture with a long history.
Conclusion
Visiting Tashilhunpo Monastery only when traveling to Shigatse would be too monotonous. The nearby Sangzhuzizong Fortress and Shalu Monastery are both well worth visiting. If you still don't have a clear idea of how to explore all of Shigatse, we have some fixed routes for the Lhasa-Shigatse tour here. Please refer to the information provided by our travel consultant for details. Welcome to contact us!
Related Articles & Posts
39 Comment ON "Best Time to Visit Tashilunpo Monastery: Cham Dance Festival and Tibetan Buddha Unfolding Festival"
Asked by Jacob Keis** from N/A
Train booking
We are a group of 15 (perhaps 17) who need to take the June 8th 15:27 train from Xining to Lhasa. We need to book this soon so prompt reply would be helpful. We are getting our permits from an agent and should have them in 6-8 days.
Asked by Nirm** from Australia
Hi, I’m interested in doing the Mount Kailash tour. I only have holidays from 20/09 to 4/10 this year. Do you have a tour that includes these dates? How much would the tour be? Are the flights, visas, passes and permits included in your prices? Thank you kindly. Regards, Nirmala (Nationality: Australian Group Size: 1 person Arrival Date: 20/09/26) Nationality: Australian Group Size: 1 person Arrival Date: 20/09/26
Asked by An** from N/A
Best time to travel for the Linka festival
Hey, I'm looking to travel to the Linka festival with my partner. When is the best time to go this year? Thanks!
Asked by Goldliam Soo** from N/A
lm from nyc in the usa how much is your 13 day Mt Kai lash tour in September or June
Hi, lm from nyc in the usa how much is your 13 day Mt Kai lash tour in September or June? And approximately how much would would the airfare be round trip? Thank you
Asked by Liliana Me** from Macau
plan a 7-8days trip for me and my boyfriend in April
Hi! I would like to plan a 7-8days trip for me and my boyfriend in April (3rd to 10th ideally) to Nepal, Tibet, and, if possible, Bhutan. Do you think it would be doable? Based on what I read, there are some places/things to do to consider: Nepal: Everest Base Camp trek and the Annapurna Circuit, ancient temples, sacred sites like Lumbini, Kathmandu, Tibet: The Potala Palace in Lhasa and the Jokhang Temple. eventually the holy Mount Kailash or the high-altitude plains. Bhutan: Thimphu, Paro, and the famous Tiger’s Nest Monastery. To take part in cultural traditions, yoga, meditation... Of course I am open to any recommendations you could make. For your reference, we are both based in Asia: him, in Bangkok and myself in Macau. Thank you so much for the information you could provide and, if possible, an estimated budget for your offer.
Asked by Ke** from Singapore
Cycling Tour to Mt Kailash
Hi , we are planning a Cycling Trip once Tibet opens for Tourism. The plan is we shall arrive to Kathmandu , travel to the border and enter via Kerung. Can you pls send a day to day Itinerary starting from Kerung - Lake Manasarovar - Darchen - Asthapath. We shall go around Kailash on foot and resume Cycling back to Kerung. We are a Group of 6-8 persons. Thanks Pls send ur reply to Kevin
Asked by Debo** from USA
Please can you tell me the prices and dates for the Tibet Luxury Tour.
Also, could you please provide a detailed itinerary - I want to see how many hours are spent on buses/vehicles. Thank you! Deborah
Asked by S** from HongKong
Tibet Tour from HK
May I know if holding Mainland Travel Permit for HK Residents. is it also need to get the visa permit to Tibet and what is the procedure if need to apply? Thank you
Asked by Na** from USA
Is Kailash Mansarovar Trip open for Indian Passport Holder?
Is it open for Indian Passport Holder?
Asked by A** from Singapore
Enquiry on private tour
We are planning a trip from Hong Kong to Tibet during the 12th to 21st of April. We want a private tour that covers all the scenic places as well as the EBC. Please advise an itinerary along with the cost breakdown. Thanks.