Tholing Monastery, whose name in Tibetan means “Flying Monastery,” is a sanctuary of spiritual beauty. The murals and sculptures within are masterpieces of Buddhist art, each telling rich stories of culture and history. More than just a religious site, Tholing is a place for inner reflection and spiritual dialogue. Here, you may find peace, clarity, and perhaps even answers within yourself.
Located on the banks of the Xiangquan River, Tholing Monastery was founded in the Fire Monkey Year of the Tibetan calendar (996 CE) by Yeshe-O, grandson of Jide Nyima Gön, a descendant of the ancient Tubo kingdom. It was constructed specifically for the eminent translator Rinchen Zangpo (958–1055) to facilitate the translation of Buddhist scriptures, making it the first monastery in the Ali region. In 1036, after the arrival of the renowned Bengali monk Atisha in Tibet, the king of Guge expanded Tholing Monastery to support scriptural translation and Dharma propagation. From then on, it became the most significant religious and cultural center of the Guge Kingdom.
Tholing Monastery, meaning “Flying Monastery” in Tibetan, is perched on a terrace by the Xiangquan River in Zanda County. Backed by earth forest formations and facing the river, its halls, stupas, and walls are scattered like stars. From an elevated viewpoint, the monastery reveals a magnificent three-dimensional mandala layout. The stupa ruins offer exceptional spots for capturing sunrise, sunset, and starry skies. Prayer flags, mani stones, stupas, and earth forests together create Zanda’s unique landscape. The open space north of the monastery is ideal for panoramic photography. Beyond the stupa walls and scattered stupas, the monastery’s unique architectural forms are also worth photographing. Tholing Monastery’s layout is belt-shaped, comprising halls, monks’ quarters, and a stupa forest. Key structures include the Ghasa Hall, White Chapel (nunnery), stupas, Arhat Hall, Maitreya Hall, Protector Hall, Assembly Hall (Lhakang), Sekang Hall, Atisha Sutra Hall, prayer rooms, Larang, and monks’ residences. The monastery played a pivotal role in reviving Tibetan Buddhism after centuries of decline, significantly influencing the development of Tibetan culture and Buddhism. Its architecture blends Indian, Nepalese, and local Tibetan styles, serving as valuable material for studying regional architecture, sculpture, and painting.
