Pelkor Chode was founded by the prince Rabten Kunzang Phak and the scholar Kedrup Je, and unusually housed colleges of several Tibetan Buddhist schools. Its assembly hall holds large statues of Buddhas of the three times, and upstairs chapels contain fine mandalas and murals. Pilgrims move clockwise with butter and coins.
Beside it stands the Kumbum, whose name means a hundred thousand images. You climb through the levels by steep internal stairs, entering one small chapel after another, each painted floor to ceiling with deities, teachers and protectors. Many statues were damaged in the 1960s and later restored, but the murals are a major survival of 15th-century Tibetan art.
The upper levels open onto narrow terraces with views of the dzong and the valley; the top requires ladders. Allow two or three hours for both buildings. Photography fees apply in some chapels, and the light is dim, so expect slow shutter speeds.
Good for
- Photographers
- Couples
- First-timers
- Solo
Questions travellers ask
What is the Gyantse Kumbum?
The Kumbum is a multi-storey stupa built in 1427 within the Pelkor Chode monastery. It is about 35 m high with nine levels and 77 chapels, each painted with Buddhist images. The name means one hundred thousand images. It is one of the most important monuments of Tibetan art.
Can I climb to the top of the Kumbum?
You can climb through most levels by steep internal stairs; the highest sections use narrow ladders and may be closed at times. At nearly 4,000 m it is tiring, so go slowly. The terraces give views over Gyantse and its dzong.
How much time do I need at Pelkor Chode?
Allow 2–3 hours for the monastery and Kumbum together. Visitors short of time can see the assembly hall and the first few Kumbum levels in about an hour and a half. Mornings and mid-afternoons are quieter.
