Ramoche Temple

Affordable Tours of China & Tibet

Ramoche Temple, a Tibetan Buddhist monastery, is regarded as the most important temple after the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa. It is one of the great three Geluka university monasteries after the Jokhang Monastery. It situated in the northwest of Lhasa City and about 1,600 feet (500 meters) away from the north of Barkhor Street. It is almost 3,300 feet (1 kilometer) north of the Jokhang and east of Potala Palace.

It is said that Jokhang and Ramoche Temple began construction and were completed about the same time. According to historical documents, Ramoche Temple was taken led by Prince Wencheng and designed and constructed by craftsmen from inner China so that the early buildings resemble the style of Tang Dynasty constructions (618 – 907 CE). The main gate faces east, which traditionally symbolizes a connection toward parents and country.

Within the temple is a shrine containing a small bronze statue of the Buddha when he was 8, brought to Lhasa by a Nepalese Princess. The temple was once badly destroyed by the Mongol invasion and later by the Red Guards during the Cultural Revolution. The original building was destroyed by fire and the current temple was rebuilt in 1474.

The main building has three stories and the first floor is composed of an atrium, a scripture hall, and a Buddha palace with winding corridors. The wall of corridors was painted with the image of the Amitayus Buddha. The third floor is the bedroom for Dalai Lama. The golden peak with the Han-style upturned eaves can be seen from any direction from anyone in Lhasa.

Today Ramoche Temple is the key national-cultural relic site in Tibet. When you visit the temple, bear in mind that you are not allowed to take photos.