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Ta'er (Kumbum) Monastery

5A Tourism Area

Designated 2012

Ta'er (Kumbum) Monastery

西宁市塔尔寺景区

Qinghai, Xining★ 4.6Designated 2012·36.6189°N, 101.7306°E

Ticket Price

CNY 70 (Peak) / CNY 40 (Off-peak)

Duration

2 to 3 hours

Rating

4.6 / 5.0

Designated

2012

About Ta'er (Kumbum) Monastery

Kumbum (Ta'er) Monastery is a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery near Xining, revered as the birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school. It is famous for its butter sculptures, murals, and golden-roofed halls.

Highlights

Birthplace of Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug school; famous for the 'three wonders' of butter sculptures, murals and barbol tapestries; golden roofs and prayer halls.

Suggested Route

Follow the clockwise pilgrimage route through the main halls (Dajinwa, Xiaojinwa, Diancha) and the butter-sculpture museum; allow 2-3 hours.

Food & Lodging

Try Tibetan tsampa, yak meat and butter tea in surrounding eateries; stay in Xining or Huangzhong.

Travel Tips

Check official website for current information. Respect local customs and regulations. Best visited during mild weather seasons.

📅 Best Time & Crowds

Best season: June to September (warm season) or winter for snow activities

🏮Golden Week alert: May 1-5 and Oct 1-7 are China's biggest travel peaks — top attractions sell out days ahead. Book tickets the moment they open.

⏰Many museums and palaces close on Mondays (e.g. Forbidden City, National Museum). Plan around it.

Location

View on interactive map →

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Book Tickets & Tours

Hotels, tickets & tours

Tickets & experiences

Tours & activities

Buying tickets as a foreign visitor

• Most 5A/4A sites require real-name registration — bring your passport.

• Tickets often must be booked in advance online — peak season & holidays sell out quickly.

• Some remote or border-area sites have entry restrictions for foreign visitors — check before you travel.

External booking links. Prices may vary.

Some links are affiliate links — we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. We only link to platforms travelers actually use.

Opening Hours

Generally open 8:00-17:00 daily. Some temples open earlier for morning worship.

Getting There

In Huangzhong District, Xining; ~25 km southwest of Xining city; tourist bus 909 from Xining; nearest airport Xining Caojiabao (~50 km).

Reservation

Advance online reservation recommended via official platform; real-name entry.

Ticket Price

CNY 70 (≈ $9.7) (Peak) / CNY 40 (≈ $5.6) (Off-peak)

Address

Qinghai Province Xining City Huangzhong District

📍 中文地址 / Chinese Address

西宁市塔尔寺景区

青海省西宁市湟中区

Qinghai Province Xining City Huangzhong District

36.6189, 101.7306

Amap ↗Apple Maps ↗Google Maps ↗

Tip: Google Maps may be inaccurate in China — use Amap for navigation.

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