Ramoche Monastery in Lhasa

Chinese Name：小昭寺
English Name：Ramoche Monastery
Location: Located in the northwest of the Tibetan capital of Lhasa, it is east of the Potala（布达拉宫） and north of the Jokhang（大昭寺）
Admission fee: 20 RMB
Opening hours: 9：00～17：00
About Ramoche Monastery

Ramoche monastery is a Buddhist monastery is considered the most important temple in Lhasa after the Jokhang Temple（大昭寺）.This temple is one of the key cultural relic protection sites of the Tibet Autonomous Region as well as a popular attraction in Lhasa. Ramoche Temple is a Buddhist monastery widely considered to be the second most important in Lhasa after the Jokhang Temple. Situated in the northwest of the city, it covers a total area of 4,000 square meters (almost one acre). This temple is one of the key cultural relic protection sites of the Tibet Autonomous Region as well as a popular attraction in Lhasa.

 

History and Development of Ramoche monastery
Tradition says that it was completed in 641 CE by Princess Wencheng and Songtsan Gambu. The temple was badly damaged during the Mongol invasions and there is no certainty that the statue that remained in 1959 was the original one. The original temple was destroyed by fire, and the present three-storied building was constructed in 1474. Soon after it became the Assembly Hall of the Gyuto Tratsang, or Upper Tantric College （上密宗学院）of Lhasa and was home to 500 monks.

 

Main Attractions-Ramoche Monastery
The main building in the temple now has three stories. The first story includes an atrium, a scripture hall, and a Buddha palace with winding corridors. The second floor is mainly residential but has a chapel with an image of Buddha as King of the Nagas. The third story contained the bedroom and chapel once reserved for Dalai Lama.

Attraction Transportation: 
Lhasa shares convenient transportation, so you can fly to Lhasa Kongga International Airport （拉萨贡嘎国际机场）and then take the airport bus or drive by yourself to the temple, the whole journey is about 60km. Ramoche Temple is located in the north of Lhasa, 500 meters away from Barkhor Street. The advanced traffic system provides visitors convenient ways to travel. Visitors can take long-distance bus or choose self-driving. What’s more, tourists can choose to take buses. 

Attraction Travel Tips
• Traveling Hours: 1 hour
• Traveling Seasons: All seasons
• High Altitude Sickness Avoiding: Bring enough water or drinks, fruits and snacks with high caloric content
• Bring a good, broad spectrum sunscreen with a high SPF factor and a high SPF lip sunscreen to protect your lips too. 
• Never climb or sit on Buddhist statues or stupas.
• Avoid touching the head of monks or nuns and show respect to a nun or monk or spiritual teacher.
• Remove your shoes and your hat when entering a shrine room or monastery.