Yumbulakhang

Estimated reading time: 2 minutes

Yumbulakhang was built in the second century B.C. for the first king of Tibet, “Nyatri Tsenpo”. It is located on the southern side of Tsedang in Yarlung Valley. Tsedang is the prefecture seat of Lhoka.

Originally only the central building was built as a palace, but the chapels we can see now were constructed later, and the golden roof was made during the time of the fifth Dalai Lama. It was the main palace for the first until the 32nd king of Tibet.

During Lhatho Thori Nyentsen, the 28th king, the first Buddhist scripture is believed to have descended from the sky into the rooftop of this Palace. But other historians say that the scripture was brought to Tibet by two Indian masters. As nobody could understand the scripture, it was hidden in the palace until it was translated into the Tibetan Language in the 7th century after Sambhota created the standard Tibetan.

The palace is built on a hill, and there is a beautiful view over the fertile valley. The first field is located right below the palace.

The palace’s important statues include Avalokitesvara, Nyatri Tsenpo, Latho Thori Nyentsen, Songtsen Gampo, Trisong Detsen, and Sambhota etc. It is a sacred pilgrimage site for local people, and at the same time, it is also an important tourist site in Lhoka.

Traveller guide to Yumbulakhang

To visit the Yumbulakhang, you will have to hike about 90 meters above the parking lot. If you would like, you can hire a horse or camel to take you to the palace.

Palace is located about 20 kilometres from Tsadang town. It will be good to include Traduk temple and the Yumbulakhang on the same day journey.

You can read more Tibet travel guide from this link or visit our travel agency website: https://itibettravel.com.