Meru Nyingba Monastery

Lhasa


This small but active monastery is a real delight and is invariably crowded with elderly Tibetans thumbing prayer beads or lazily swinging prayer wheels and chanting under their breath. The chapel itself is administered by Nechung Monastery, which accounts for the many images of the Nechung oracle inside. The building, like the adjoining Jokhang, dates to the 7th century, though most of what you see today is recently constructed.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Lhasa attractions

1. Zhambhala Lhakhang

0.01 MILES

This small chapel on the western side of the Meru Nyingba Monastery has a central image of Marmedze (Dipamkara), the Past Buddha, and a small inner kora…

2. Gongkar Chöde Chapel

0.01 MILES

This small Sakyapa-school chapel is up some narrow stairs above the Zhambhala Lhakhang, just off the Barkhor Circuit.

3. Jampa Lhakhang

0.02 MILES

On the northern Barkhor Circuit, 10m down a side alley, is the entrance to the Jampa Lhakhang, on the right. The ground floor has a huge two-storey statue…

4. Barkhor Mani Lhakhang

0.04 MILES

On the northern section of the Barkhor Circuit is a small building on the right, set off from the main path. This is the Mani Lhakhang, a chapel that…

5. Perdu Ambam Yamen

0.05 MILES

A recent addition to the northeast side of the Barkhor Circuit is the Perdu Ambam Yamen, a politicised museum firmly aimed at local Chinese consumption …

6. Jokhang Temple

0.06 MILES

The 1300-year-old Jokhang Temple is the spiritual heart of Tibet: the continuous waves of awestruck pilgrims prostrating themselves outside are a…

7. Gendun Choephel Memorial Hall

0.07 MILES

On the southern side of the Barkhor Circuit, this dull museum focuses on a fascinating character. Choephel (1903–51) was a monk, poet, translator,…

8. Barkhor Square

0.14 MILES

For your first visit to the Barkhor, enter from Barkhor Sq, a large plaza that was cleared in 1985. The square has been a focus for violent political…

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