Langyi Monastery is a uniquely distinctive and revered monastery in Aba County. Unlike nearby Gelugpa Gemo Monastery and Kirti (Gerdeng) Monastery, Langyi is the largest surviving Yungdrung Bonpo monastery in Tibet. Its full formal name is Xuli Lanjie Tashi Yungdrung Ling, meaning “Monastery of the Auspicious Immutable Yungdrung”. Boasting a history of more than 800 years, it has maintained an unbroken lineage of 39 reincarnated lamas. Covering roughly 170,000 square metres, the monastery houses over 1,300 monks. Its exquisite architecture and sculptures make it an invaluable treasure for the study of Yungdrung Bonpo history and culture.
Langyi Monastery
Langyi Monastery
Langyi Monastery
Langyi Monastery
Warma Township, Aba County, Aba Tibetan and Qiang Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. It lies about 8 kilometres from the county seat. The drive from downtown Aba County takes approximately 20 minutes. Roads on both sides outside the monastery perimeter lead directly to a car park beneath the viewing platform; a 5–10 minute walk along wooden boardwalks will take you up to the viewpoint.
Distinct from common Gelugpa (Yellow Hat) monasteries across Tibet, Langyi Monastery follows the more ancient Yungdrung Bon tradition. Visitors will encounter many exclusive religious customs: Counter-clockwise circumambulation: Prayer wheels and stupas are circled counter-clockwise, the opposite direction of other schools of Tibetan Buddhism. Yungdrung Symbol: Look out for the left-facing swastika (卍) on buildings, the primary sacred emblem of Bon. The Main Assembly Hall contains statues of Tonpa Shenrab Miwoche, the founder of Bon, alongside his reliquary stupa, plus one thousand Bon-style Manjushri statues. Hall carvings and painted murals feature characteristic Bon motifs, such as the winged lion with garuda head and lion paws.
The viewing platform on the mountain behind Langyi Monastery is another major attraction, listed by China National Geography as one of Sichuan’s 100 Most Beautiful Photography Spots. It offers the perfect vantage point to shoot full panoramas of the monastery, morning mist and sunsets. At dawn, golden buildings emerge gently through swirling mist, resembling a fairyland.
Beyond its grand scale, Langyi Monastery maintains a strict scholastic curriculum. It hosts a Study and Practice College, one of the most pre-eminent academic institutions of Yungdrung Bon, home to hundreds of studying monks. Students begin with basic language and logic studies (Hetuvidyā), progressing over roughly thirty years to advanced teachings including the Abhidharmakośa and Dzogchen, within a highly systematic training framework.
Recommended time of visit: 1-3h
Ticket Information: Free of Charge
Business Hour: all day
Photography Tips: Go to the mountain viewing platform in early morning (06:00–08:00) or late afternoon. The soft light raises your chances of seeing ethereal morning mist or sunset glow.
