# Labrang Monastery (拉卜楞寺)

Gannan, Gansu Province · Northwest, China · Guidebook rating: 5/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/labrang-monastery
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** ¥40
- **Opening hours:** 8:00–18:00 (May 1 – October 7); 9:15–16:30 (October 8 – April 30 of the following year)
- **Time needed:** 3–4 hours
- **Getting there:** Take a long-distance bus to Xiahe from Lanzhou, Linxia, Hezuo or other nearby cities. After getting off at the station, turn right and walk straight up the slope to reach the monastery.
- **Good for:** History & Culture, Temples, Waterfront

## About Labrang Monastery

Founded in 1709, Labrang Monastery has six assembly halls, 84 Buddhist shrines, 31 towers, 30 Buddhist palace courtyards and more than 10,000 monks' residences. It is also home to the world's longest row of prayer wheels, which encircles the monastery grounds. Labrang has six colleges: the Exoteric Studies College (Wensi), the Lower College of Esoteric Teachings, the Upper College of Esoteric Teachings, the Hevajra College, the Kalachakra College and the Medical College. It is the largest Tibetan Buddhist institute of learning in the world.
Incense is always burning at Labrang. It is especially lively during the great prayer festivals from the 4th to the 17th day of the first lunar month and from the 29th day of the sixth lunar month to the 15th day of the seventh lunar month, as well as during the Buddha-airing and scripture-debate events on the 13th day of the first lunar month and the 8th day of the seventh lunar month. Crowds of believers and monks gather from all directions to take part in or watch the prayer rituals, sacred dances, Tibetan opera, *Nanmote* performances and butter sculptures.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 765. Prices, hours and transport details are as printed in the August 2024 edition and may have changed. Always confirm with the venue before you travel.
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