Explore Sera Monastery Monday to Saturday with Tibetan Guide

Sera Monastery is one of three famous Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect monasteries in Lhasa. The other two are Drepung Monastery and the Ganden Monastery. The Gelugpa or Yellow Hat Sect is branch of Tibetan Buddhism which was founded by Tsong Khapa. Jamchen Chojey, one of Tsong Khapa's disciples built the monastery in 1419 during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The monastery was named Sera which refers to wild rose in the Tibetan language, because the hill behind it was covered with wild roses in bloom when the monastery was built.

The magnificent Sera Monastery covers an area of 114,946 square meters (28 acres). There are three main buildings which are called Coqen Hall, Zhacang (college) and Kamcun (dormitory). There are scriptures written in gold powder, fine statues, scent cloth and unparalleled murals in these halls. Colorful debates on Buddhist doctrines are held here every afternoon except for Sunday and this is distinctive from the other famous monasteries. In the history, it housed more than 6000 monks but since 2008, there are no more than 550 monks living here.

Your Tibetan English speaking guide will meet travelers at House of Shambhala hotel lobby at around 2 pm, Lhasa Ganggyan Hotel lobby at around 2:20 pm. If there are only 3-4 travelers finally in a group, public transport of taxi or bus will be in use, while if there are 5 or more travelers per group, local supplier will arrange a suitable van or tour bus for the transfer. Please be on time for the tour activity. The exact meeting time will be reconfirmed at least 1 day in advance. If your hotel is far from downtown, please inform clearly to supplier in advance to appoint the time and location for guide to meet.