Tashilumpo Monastery
Located on the south slope of the Nyimari hill in the west of the city of Shigatse, the Tashilumpo Monastery was originally built in 1447, which is known as one of the six major moansteries of the Gelug sect.
It is the largest monastery in the Tsang area of 300,000 square meters. Tsongkapa’s 8th disciple, Gendun Drupa, the 1st Dalai Lama, built it with the financial aid from the Pakdru regime. The monastery was expanded and renovated by the 4th, 5th and 6th Panchens. Thereafter, the Tashilumpo Monastery stands at an impressive scale today and becomes the residence for each successive Panchen Lama. The highlight of the monastery is the statue of Maitrya Buddha made of copper with 22.4 meters high, which looks graceful and dignified in appearance. It is considered to be the highest statue in the world.