Overview:
Founded in 1419, the Sera monastery is part of a historical triumvirate called the “Pillars of the State”, three monasteries including Drepung and Ganden monasteries. At its height, Sera housed over 5,000 monks but now is home to less than 1,000. It is well-known for the monk debates held in the afternoons in one of its courtyards.
Features:
- Tsokchen (Assembly Hall)
- Three Tratsangs (College of Tantric Studies)
- Thirty Khangtsens (residential compounds for monks from all over Tibet). These have some beautiful murals in the individual chapels.
When to Visit:
The monastery is open all year but go in the afternoon so you can catch the monk debates in the special courtyard reserved for the activity.
Essentials:
Location: 2 miles (3km) north of central Lhasa.
Getting there: your best option is to take a taxi but buses also run in that direction.
Hours of operation:9am-4:00pm
