Skip to main content
Yumbulagang Palace situated in NeDong County, about 8 km outh of Tsedang town. Known as the first imperial palace in Tibet, was built in the second century BC by Nyatri Tsanpo. In the 7th century AD, Songtsan Gampo moved the capital to Lhasa and Yumbulagang palace gradually became a Buddhist palace, and then the 5th Dalai Lama changed it as the monastery of Old-Yellow Hat Sect (Kadampa).The palace is mainly divided into two parts: the front part is multi-layer palace, while the back part is a square watchtower of a high blockhouse connected with the front part.
History
Perched on the mountain top, the towering and outstanding Yumbulagang lPalace ooks like a blockhouse. “Yumbu” means female deer named after the shape of the Jormo Zhaxi Ceri Mountain which looks like a female deer. “lagang” means sacred palace. Yumbulagang , “palace of mother and son” in Tibetan dialect, is the first palace and one of the earliest buildings in Tibet and it has a history of more than 2,000 years. It’s said that it was built for Nyatri Tsanpo, the first Tibetan King by Bon believers in the 2nd century BC. Then it became the summer palace of Songtsan Gampo and Princess Wencheng. The 5thDalai Lama changed it as the monastery of Old-Yellow Hat Sect (Kadamspa). The Jormo Zhaxi Ceri means “auspicious mountain” in Tibetan dialect. About 400 meters in the northeast from the mountain, there is an ever-flowing spring called “Geer spring”. It’s said that the spring can cure any diseases, so most people who come to Yumbulagang to worship will come here to have a drink and take a bath.

Location: Perched on the summit of the Jormo Zhaxi Ceri Mountain on the east bank of the Yarlung River, about five kilometers in the south from the Tradrug county.

Transportation: The most convenient way to Yumbulagang is to rent a motor tricycle for about 40 Yuan for a round-trip. Bargaining with the driver in advance to stop at Trandruk Monastery on the way back in order to prevent the driver asking for an extra charge

Opening time: 9:30 to 5:00 pm

Admission Fee: 30 Yuan.

Recommended visiting time: about an hour or so.

Evaluation: Tibet's first palace. It’s a worthwhile visit for those Tibetan history fans.

Legend: There is a folktale about the construction of Yumbulagang. It’s said that the first Tsanpo who was the Heavenly son descended to Tsantang Plains by heavenly ladder one day and was seen by 12 Bon herdsmen and they made him king of the tribe. Because he was brought down to the tribe seated on the shoulders of the herdsmen, the name Nyatri Tsanpo which means “the King Seated on the Throne Neck” was given to him. Then people of the Yarlung tribe built Yumbulagang as the palace for Nyatri Tsanpo.

Scenic spot: Yumbulagang is mainly divided into two parts: the front part is multi-layer palace, while the back part is a square watchtower of a high blockhouse connected with the front part.

In the 7th century AD, Songtsan Gampo moved the capital to Lhasa and Yumbulagang gradually became a Buddhist palace. The ground floor is the palace of ancient Tibetan Kings. Now in the middle you would see a statue of Buddha with Nyatri Tsanpo’s statue on the left and Songtsan Gampo’s to the right. Along the left wall are statues of Songtsan Gampo’s capable ministerSanbuzha、Tritsong Detsen, Tibetan ruler Totonianzhan. Along the left wall are statues of Tibetan rulerHeyebabu, Wusong, Songtsan Gampo’s another minister Ka Dongzhan.The first floor is an elaborate hall enshrined the statues of Avalokitesvara and Sakyamuni. It’s said the statue of Avalokitesvara in Yumbulagang is as ancient as that in Potala Palace. The walls are painted with beautiful murals which tell the early history of Tibet. The most famous one of those is the first one on the left which tells the story of the first Tibetan King Nyatri Tsanpo.

The highest point of Yumbulagang is a watchtower. It’s said that Princess Wencheng lived here for her first summer in Tibet. Standing on the top and looking around, you can enjoy the excellent panoramic view of the valley.

The original palace is of medium size and it was enlarged by the 5th Dalai Lama and became a Buddhist monastery gradually. Presently, besides the rooms for the monks, there is a bedroom for Dalai Lamas who come here to do religious service.

Tips:

1. You could hire a yak up and down Yumbulagang, 10 Yuan for climbing up and 5 Yuan for down. These yaks are considerably clever. If they see you take a photo for them, they will stand still at once and won’t move until you finish. The ground floor is free for a visit but you must pay 15 Yuan for entering the first floor of Yumbulagang

2. On the way back to Tsedang, you could drop at Trandruk Monastery. Whether you are a Tibetan or a tourist, you have to pay 2 Yuan for the bus ticket. Trandruk Monastery is a small monastery but it’s famous for the pearl Thangka and it’s not worthwhile enough to pay 30 Yuan for the admission fee to see the pearl Thangka.
https://tourtraveltibet.com/yumbulagang-palace/

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Discovering Lake Tangra Yumtso: Popular Sacred Lake

Journey to the Mystical Lake Tangra Yumtso Embark on a captivating journey to Lake Tangra Yumtso, a revered site nestled in the heart of North Tibet. Starting from Nyima county, a mere 8 kilometres southwest leads you to a crossroad. Here, turn left and continue southwards for about 80 kilometres. Traverse a mountain pass at an elevation of 5,000 meters to enter the enchanting basin of Lake Tangra Yumtso. The Sacred Waters of Lake Tangra Yumtso A Holy Site for Bon Religion Followers Lake Tangra Yumtso, held sacred by followers of the Bon religion, lies in a deep lake basin alongside its sibling, Tangra Chotso. These twin lakes, once united, share a rich history, evident in their names - 'Tangra Chotso' in Tibetan. The unique feature of this lake is its ability to change colours up to three times a day, a phenomenon that adds to its mystical allure. The Majestic Tangra Yumtso Landscape The western bank of the lake is adorned with dark red cliffs, forming a natural screen that r...
The Qinghai Lake is already majestic regardless of the season, but it sparkles even more during the spring and summer seasons, once the ice that covers the waters has already melted. It is during this time that thousands upon thousands of birds would drop by the area to feed and even to lay eggs. The Bird Island (鸟岛) is found on the northwest portion of the lake. It sits very close to the Buhahe Delta. Different kinds of birds from around Asia consider the island as its home for a few weeks as it has become a very essential migration route for them. The lake, nevertheless, is very ideal. There’s plenty of grass, as well as water. The waters are also teeming with fish, which can be a source of food for a number of them. At the height of their migration, the total number of birds, which can include seagulls and cormorants, can swell to around 10,000. The island is around a kilometer only, but it is subdivided into two sections. One of these is the Haixi Shan, also known as the Egg Isla...
The Pudacuo National Park (普达措国家公园) is one of the most protected areas in the country. Opening just in 2007, the park has garnered a lot of attention from the locals and foreigners because of its immense natural beauty. The national park is actually very accessible since it’s located within Shangri-la and thus close to the bustling town. When you’re in the park, you can then take a walk along the many paths or save time by riding an eco-bus. It may take about a half to whole day to enjoy everything. There are many signs along the way to save as your guide. The park is located around 3,500 meters from sea level and is composed of majestic attractions. It is very close to the Three Parallel Rivers, a UNESCO World Heritage List. One of the highlights in the area is the Shudu Lake, which is home to a unique fish known as liefuyu. The waters are simply shallow. You cannot swim in the lake, but you can observe it in the planked path. Another kind of lake in the park is the Bita Lake, whi...