001 Architecture Tradruk Temple Changzhu Temple (Tradrug) is located in Naidong District, Shannan, Tibet, and is traditionally attributed to the Tubo king Songtsen Gampo. The Weizang Tongzhi records it under “Chamuzhu Temple,” relating the legend of subduing a five-headed serpent demon in the Yarlung Valley and building the temple with sacred images. Photographs taken by Hugh E. Richardson in 1949 preserve the full view of the monastery before the fields, the compound walls with golden roofs, the ancient bell in the portico, and the stupa banners in front of the courtyard. Tubo Nedong District, Shannan, Tibet Autonomous Region Tradruk Temple · Chamuzhu Temple · Tradrug →
002 Architecture Ganden Monastery Ganden Monastery—also recorded under several Chinese names—stands in Lhasa, Tibet, and was founded by Tsongkhapa in 1409 as an early monastery of the Gelug school. This entry presents Chinese and Tibetan sources on its first monastic quarters, assembly hall, ritual chambers, images and reliquary stupa, together with photographs taken by Hugh E. Richardson between 1936 and 1950. Ming dynasty Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region Ganden Monastery · Gandan Monastery · Galden Monastery →
003 Architecture Drepung Monastery Drepung Monastery stands on the southern slope of Mount Gephel Utse, west of Lhasa. Founded in 1416 by Tsongkhapa’s disciple Jamyang Chöjé Tashi Palden, it contains a former villa renamed Ganden Podrang in 1518 and made an office of the Tibetan local government in 1642. The surviving complex centers on Tsokchen Hall, Ganden Podrang, and four colleges; this entry presents Qing-to-Republican records and photographs from 1920 to 1936. Ming dynasty Lhasa, Tibet Autonomous Region Drepung Monastery · Biebeng Monastery · Bulaibang Monastery →