Kumbum Monastery (Ta'er Monastery)

Kumbum Monastery, also called Ta’er Monastery, is about 27 kilometers southwest of Xining. It covers around 400,000 square kilometers and is home to over 750 monks.

Originated in 1379 from a pagoda that marked the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelugpa sect, the monastery is one of the most impact monasteries in Tibetan region. Kumbum Monastery is famous for the artworks of Yak Butter sculptures, frescoes and embossed embroidery made by lhama artists.