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Tar Kunbum Monastery
Located in Huangzhong District, Xining City, Qinghai Province, about 25 kilometers southwest of downtown Xining, Kumbum Monastery (Ta’er Temple / Ta’er Si) is one of the most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in China. Standing on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, the monastery is a must-visit cultural destination for travelers exploring Qinghai and northwest China.
Founded in 1379 during the Ming Dynasty, Kumbum Monastery was built around the Great Golden Tile Hall, which commemorates Tsongkhapa (1357–1419), the founder of the Gelugpa School of Tibetan Buddhism, also known as the Yellow Hat Sect.
The Chinese name “Ta’er” (塔尔) means “pagoda and temple,” because the monastery developed around a memorial pagoda built in honor of Tsongkhapa before the temple structures were added. In Tibetan, it is called “Kumbum Jampa Ling,” meaning “Maitreya Temple of 100,000 Lion Roars.”
As one of the Six Great Monasteries of the Gelugpa School, Kumbum Monastery holds a highly respected position in Tibetan Buddhism. It is also a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit and a National AAAAA Tourist Attraction, making it one of the most important cultural highlights of Qinghai tourism.
A Major Center of Tibetan Buddhism in Qinghai
For centuries, Kumbum Monastery has served as an important center of Tibetan Buddhist education, religion, and culture. Its influence extends across Tibet, mainland China, and other Buddhist communities in Asia.
Throughout history, the monastery received strong support from Chinese imperial governments. During the Ming and Qing dynasties, it was granted official recognition, religious titles, and valuable Buddhist treasures.
Many important Tibetan Buddhist figures have visited and conducted religious activities here, including:
* The 3rd, 4th, 5th, 7th, 13th, and 14th Dalai Lamas
* The 6th, 9th, and 10th Panchen Lamas
These historical connections have established Kumbum Monastery as one of the most influential Tibetan Buddhist sites in China.
The Three Artistic Treasures of Kumbum Monastery
Kumbum Monastery is especially famous for its unique Buddhist artworks, known as the “Three Wonders of Monastery Art.”
Butter Sculptures
The butter sculptures of Kumbum Monastery are among the most extraordinary examples of Tibetan Buddhist art.
Created from colored butter, these delicate works depict:
* Buddhist figures
* Flowers
* Animals
* Religious stories
* Sacred symbols
Despite the fragile nature of the material, skilled craftsmen create highly detailed and lifelike sculptures with remarkable artistic precision.
Murals
The monastery’s murals feature rich Buddhist themes, including stories of Buddha, religious teachings, and images of Buddhist deities.
These paintings demonstrate the traditional artistic style of Tibetan Buddhism and preserve valuable religious knowledge through visual storytelling.
Thangka Paintings
Thangka is a traditional Tibetan Buddhist scroll painting style. The Thangka collections at Kumbum Monastery are considered valuable religious and artistic treasures.
Through detailed painting techniques, Thangka artworks present Buddhist philosophy, spiritual teachings, and historical stories.
Besides these three artistic treasures, the monastery also preserves a large collection of Buddhist scriptures and academic works covering:
* Philosophy
* Literature
* Medicine
* Astronomy
* History
* Religious studies
The Legend Behind Kumbum Monastery
The history of Kumbum Monastery is closely connected with Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelugpa School.
According to local tradition, Tsongkhapa was born in the Ta’er area of present-day Huangzhong District in 1357. From childhood, he showed exceptional intelligence and entered Buddhist studies at an early age.
After studying Buddhism in Tibet for many years, he became a respected religious scholar and established the theoretical foundation of the Gelugpa School in 1401 and 1406.
The Gelugpa tradition later became one of the most influential schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
The Origin of the “Pagoda and Temple”
According to legend, after Tsongkhapa left his hometown to continue Buddhist studies, his mother deeply missed him and hoped he would return.
Instead of going back, Tsongkhapa sent his mother a portrait of the Lion Roar Buddha and requested that a pagoda containing 100,000 images of the Lion Roar Buddha be built at his birthplace.
Following his wishes, his mother and followers built a lotus-shaped pagoda in 1379, which became the foundation of Kumbum Monastery.
Later, in 1577, a Buddhist temple was constructed beside the pagoda and named the Maitreya Hall. Since the pagoda came first and the temple followed, local people called it Ta’er Temple, meaning “Pagoda Temple.”
Architecture and Cultural Heritage
Over centuries, Kumbum Monastery expanded into a magnificent religious complex.
Today, it covers more than 600 mu (about 40 hectares) and contains:
* More than 9,300 buildings
* Around 25 major halls
* Numerous Buddhist residences and cultural facilities
Important buildings include:
* Great Golden Tile Hall
* Great Sutra Hall
* Nine-Room Hall
* Small Golden Tile Hall
* Flower Temple
* Maitreya Hall
* Buddha Hall
At its peak, Kumbum Monastery was home to more than 3,600 monks.
The monastery houses numerous treasures, including:
* Buddhist scriptures
* Buddha statues
* Religious instruments
* Stupas
* Imperial gifts from the Ming and Qing dynasties
Buddhist Education and Religious Activities
Kumbum Monastery has traditionally been an important center for Tibetan Buddhist education.
It established several major colleges specializing in:
* Buddhist philosophy
* Tantric Buddhism
* Buddhist studies
* Tibetan medicine
The monastery also taught:
* Tibetan language
* Astronomy
* Calendar studies
* Medicine
* Religious dance
* Sculpture
* Painting
* Architecture
During the reign of the Daoguang Emperor in 1827, a printing school was established here, becoming an important center for producing Tibetan Buddhist scriptures.
Sun Buddha Festival: A Spectacular Tibetan Buddhist Ceremony
The most famous event at Kumbum Monastery is the Sun Buddha Festival, also known as the Thangka Buddha Exhibition.
During this ceremony, enormous embroidered Buddha images are displayed on the hillside of the monastery. Thousands of pilgrims and visitors gather to worship, pray, and experience this magnificent Tibetan Buddhist tradition.
The festival is usually held several times according to the lunar calendar to commemorate important Buddhist occasions, including:
* The birth of Shakyamuni Buddha
* Buddha’s enlightenment and Nirvana
* The birth of Tsongkhapa
The giant Thangka images displayed include:
* Lion Roar Buddha
* Shakyamuni Buddha
* Tsongkhapa
* Vajra Buddha
Only one large embroidered Buddha image is displayed at a time, creating a breathtaking religious scene across the hillside.
Tibetan Buddhist Dance and Cultural Performances
Before sunrise during the Sun Buddha ceremony, monks carefully prepare and carry the giant Thangka to the exhibition site.
After the Buddha exhibition, the monastery holds traditional Cham dances, a sacred Tibetan Buddhist masked dance.
During the performance:
* Monks wear colorful masks
* Religious dances are performed
* Buddhist chants are recited
* Stories of Buddhist teachings are presented
The ceremony has become one of the most important annual celebrations of Tibetan Buddhist culture.
Why Visit Kumbum Monastery?
Kumbum Monastery is more than a religious site. It is a remarkable treasure of:
* Tibetan Buddhist history
* Traditional architecture
* Religious art
* Ethnic culture
* Spiritual heritage
With its golden-roofed halls, ancient traditions, priceless artworks, and spectacular festivals, Kumbum Monastery provides international visitors with a unique opportunity to experience the culture of Tibetan Buddhism.
For travelers visiting Xining, Qinghai, or the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, Kumbum Monastery is one of the most important cultural attractions in northwest China.
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