Ramoche Monastery

Introducing Ramoche Monastery
The Ramoche Monastery, Xiao Zhao Si in Chinese, is situated in the northwest of Lhasa, covering a total area of 4,000 square meters. Ramoche Monastery is one of the key cultural relic protection sites of Southwest China's Tibet autonomous region as well as a hot attraction in Lhasa. Nowadays, Ramoche Monastery has become the very place for the Tibetan monks to study Mi Zong (a Buddhist sect).

Ramoche Monastery Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Xiao Zhao Si 小昭寺
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 1 to 2 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Architecture, Tibetan Buddhism
• Opening Hours: 09:00-17:00
• Entrance Fee: CNY 30
• Address: No. 41 Xiaozhaosi Road, Chengguan District, Lhasa, Tibet

What to expect at Ramoche Monastery

The original building complex has a strong Tang (Han) architecture flavor, for it was first built by Chinese Han architects in the middle of the 7th century during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), when Tang Princess Wencheng took charge of the project and ordered the temple be erected facing east to show her homesickness. The Monastery fell into ruins and went through many reconstructions -- only the Buddha palace on the first floor is left in its original state. The present Ramoche Monastery is the result of the large restoration in 1986.

The main building in Ramoche Monasterye has three stories. The first story includes an atrium, a scripture hall, and a Buddha palace with winding corridors. The third story was the bedroom once reserved for the Dalai Lama. Upon entering the main building, one can see the ten pillars holding some of the remaining Tibetan relics such as the encased lotus flowers, coiling cloud, jewelry, and particular Tibetan characters. The golden peak of the monastery with the Han-style upturned eave can be seen from any direction in Lhasa city. Needless to say, Ramoche Monastery is a wonderful example of the combination of Han and Tibetan architectural styles.

One of Ramoche Monastery's prized artifacts is the life-sized statue of the 12-year-old Sakyamuni, which Princess Wencheng brought from the capital Chang'an (today's Xian in North China's Shaanxi province) of the Tang Dynasty. As one of the precious cultural relics of Tibet, the statue is now placed in the Jokhang Temple, 500 meters south of the Ramoche Monastery. Residing within the Ramoche Monastery is the life-sized statue of the 8-year-old Sakyamuni, which was brought into Tibet by the Nepalese Princess Khridzun, and is regarded as the greatest saint in the Ramoche Monastery.

How to get to Ramoche Monastery
• Take bus 1, 2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 14, 16, 28, 29, 31 or 36 and get off at Remuqi Station.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Lhasa to Ramoche Monastery.

Additional travel advice on Ramoche Monastery
• Ramoche Monastery is a religious site, so visitors should dress modestly, behave with good manner. Do not talk too loud. Do not smoke inside the temple.
• In the principle of Tibetan culture, walking around temples, palaces and turning praying wheels should follow the clockwise direction.
• It is not allowed to take photos or shoot videos in the chapels.