Kumbum Stupa and Pelkor Chode Monastery

The town of Gyantse is famous for the Kumbum which is the largest chorten in Tibet. Kumbum is a spectacular stupa temple, whose name means "Place of 100 Thousand Images".

It was the centerpiece of Pelkor Chode Monastery, and the pride of Gyantse. The great pagoda is consisted of 9 tiers, over 32m, has more than 77 chapels, shrines and chortens and the building is surmounted by a gold dome. It is the most stunning architectural wonder in Tibet. The Pelkor Chode Monastery occupies an important place in Tibetan Buddhism history because different Buddism sects, like Gelugpa, Sakyapa, were compatible in this monastery. Much of the statuary in the chapels was damaged during the Cultural Revolution but it has now been restored.