In a 2010 article in a Tibet travel magazine, it was mentioned that Yumbulakang is considered to bear the closest resemblance to the temple washed away by a tsunami in the movie “2012.” Yumbulakang is renowned for various “firsts” in Tibet, including the first palace and the first cultivated land. When traveling to Tibet, one is filled with various aspirations and expectations. While exploring Tibet, consider visiting Yumbulakang to discover the locations reminiscent of scenes from the movie “2012” and to immerse yourself in the ancient culture and history of Tibet.
Yumbulakang is situated on the Tsetang Zhaxiciri hill. “Yumbu” means “female deer,” named so because the shape of Zhaxiciri hill resembles a female deer, and “Lakang” means “temple” or “palace.” Yumbulakang holds the distinction of being the first palace in Tibetan history. According to legend, it was built by Bon practitioners for the first Tibetan king, Nyatri Tsenpo, around the 2nd century BCE. Princess Wencheng used to reside here with King Songtsen Gampo during the summer months upon her arrival in Tibet. During the time of the 5th Dalai Lama, four corner towers with pointed golden roofs were added to the original fortress-like structure, transforming it into a Yellow Sect monastery.
Yumbulakang is a fortress-like structure, not very large in scale, yet it holds significant importance and houses precious cultural relics. Perched atop a mountain with intricate design, Yumbulakang is renowned for its unique architectural style, attracting attention from far and wide. It not only represents the prototype of the earliest palace-like structures in Tibetan history but also stands as a primary symbol of the Yarlung region, considered the cradle of Tibetan cultural origins.
Standing at the highest point of Yumbulakang, one can sense the vicissitudes of time and witness the changes in history.
Yumbulakang’s admission fee is 60 yuan per person, and it is open from 9:00 to 18:00. As Yumbulakang is not far from Tsetang Town, approximately ten kilometers away, there are various transportation options to choose from. You can take a bus from Tsetang to the base of Yumbulakang for 3 yuan per person. In Tsetang Town, many Santana taxis operate on this route, and the round-trip charter price is around 100 yuan per vehicle. Of course, you can also choose to walk or rent a bicycle to reach Yumbulakang.