# Mindrolling Monastery (敏珠林寺)

Shannan, Tibet Autonomous Region · Southwest, China · Guidebook rating: 3/5
Canonical: https://cnatrip.com/en/places/mindrolling-monastery
Language: en

## Key facts

- **Admission:** Free
- **Time needed:** 2–3 hours
- **Address:** Zhaqi area east of the Zhanang River, Zhanang County, Shannan, Tibet
- **Getting there:** Charter a minibus from Tsedang; the round trip costs ¥80–100 and seats 4 people.
- **Good for:** Temples

## About Mindrolling Monastery

Mindrolling Monastery is one of the six great monasteries of the Nyingma school of Tibetan Buddhism. It was first established at the end of the 10th century, rebuilt in 1676, destroyed by war in 1717 and rebuilt again in 1720.
Mindrolling is renowned for its study of astronomy and calendrical calculation, its compilation of the Tibetan calendar, Tibetan calligraphy and the making of Tibetan incense. By tradition, Mindrolling selects senior monks to serve as teachers at the monastic official college inside the Potala Palace, while others research calendrical calculation and revise the “Tibetan Calendar Chronology” at Menzikang.

## Tips from the guidebook

- Important stopovers on a Shannan trip include the towns of Qushui, Tsedang, Qonggyai, as well as Gongga and Langkazi.

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Source: China Self-Guided Travel 2025 (《中国自助游》, Tianjin Science & Technology Press, Aug 2024), p. 608. 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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