“Buddha City” Kumbum Monastery - The Perfect Combination of Han and Tibetan Architectural Art

Kumbum Monastery, a Buddha City not only has monasteries, but also the perfect blend of Han and Tibetan Buddhist architectural art.

Kumbum Monastery is located at the LuShaEr Town, Huangzhong County (25 km south-west of Xining City, Qinghai). As a holy Buddhist place, Kumbum Monastery not only has the Grand Golden Tiled Hall, the Small Golden Tiled Hall, Kalachakra Stupa, and Longevity Buddha hall etc., but also the highest Center for Buddhist Studies of Qinghai, the ancient residences of the Dalai Lama living in the Kumbum Monastery, as well as the elderly monks orphanages, Tibetan Hospitals, shops, etc.


Most buildings in the Kumbum Monastery are built by the mountain. This is the square in front of the Kumbum Monastery.


The towers in front of the square, built in 1776. It is said that they were built to commemorate the Buddha Sakyamuni.


The hall on the peak of the mountain


The Great Hall and the Grand Golden Tiled Hall
 

Kalachakra Stupa


The entrance of one of the monastic college


Inside the monastic college


Longevity Buddha hall


the Small Golden Tiled Hall 


Looking down from the mountain, I was shocked, because most temples in Kumbum Monastery are ancient buildings of the Han-style roof. The most essence of Kumbum Monastery are murals, Duixiu and butter sculpture. Let's take a look at some phots. 

 
Tibetan Buddhist architectural style


Butter Museum of Buddhist scriptures building