The Samye Monastery, established in the 8th century during the Tubo Dynasty in Tibet, holds the distinction of being the first monastery where monks took their vows. Its architectural layout aligns with Buddhist cosmology, featuring a central hall that seamlessly blends Tibetan, Han Chinese, and Indian styles, earning it the moniker “Three Styles Monastery.” Currently, there are more than 50 monks in Samye Monastery.
With towering structures and grandiose proportions, set amidst lush greenery, Samye Monastery stands as one of the nationally recognized scenic spots. Strategically located near the winter palace of Tibetan King Trisong Detsen, it was constructed under the supervision of the revered master Padmasambhava, who adhered to the original design by the great architect Shantarakshita. Legend has it that, eager to witness the finished temple, King Trisong Detsen expressed his curiosity, prompting Padmasambhava to conjure a phantom image of the monastery in the palm of his hand. Astonished, the king exclaimed, “Samye!” meaning “unexpected,” giving the monastery its official name – Samye Monastery.
Many friends are likely to be concerned about the transportation to Samye Monastery. There are daily buses departing from Lhasa and Tsetang every morning directly to the main courtyard of Samye Monastery. If you miss the bus, transportation may be a bit inconvenient, so it’s essential to wake up early.
The buses depart from the Jokhang Square in Lhasa before 8 a.m. The ticket price is 50 yuan, and the bus leaves when it is fully occupied. The earliest bus usually starts around six in the morning, and the latest one departs around eight. It arrives at Samye Monastery around noon, directly stopping inside the monastery grounds.
As for the return trip to Lhasa, the latest bus departs around two in the afternoon.
