If you had in mind to visit Buddhist Monasteries in Nepal, you would probably be aware of Boudhanath, Swayambhunath, or Kopan Monastery since these have a good standing reputation all over the Kathmandu Valley. If you wish to explore some in-depth and original practice of Buddhism, you would know some others located in an isolated environment in the remote areas of Nepal. Thupten Choling Monastery is among them.

Thupten Choling Monastery is located in the Solukhumbu district of Nepal. It’s situated at an altitude of 3000m. The monastery holds its own cultural significance. The district of Solukhumbu is world-famous for the EBC trek or the Pikey Peak trek. This makes the trek to Thupten Choling go unnoticed; however, it is nothing short in historical, cultural, and natural significance.

Thupten Choling Monastery is a hidden treasure that is not much explored. So, it is best for people who want that organic feel of the Himalayan region. The surroundings and the people are not exploited by tourist interventions, making it a precious place to visit at least once. The local people(mostly Sherpas) are also very hospitable, so you needn’t worry about your trek experience.

About Thupten Choling Monastery

Thupten Choling Monastery is a Tibetan Buddhist Monastery located in Nepal. Many people who practice Buddhism or simply follow the teachings of the Buddha visit here every year. The monastery serves as a religious, educational, and cultural centre for hundreds of monks(Lamas) and nuns(Aanis).

The remoteness of the monastery is a big factor in traveling here. It is definitely not a typical tourist destination because of the peace and serenity of the surrounding environment. But if you are looking for the same, that is, a peaceful natural environment in its raw form, this place is exactly where you should be.

Thupten Choling Monastery Tibetan Buddhist Monastery

This monastery was built by Trulsik Rinpoche in the 20th century with the motive of making Buddhist practices accessible for the then Tibetan refugees. He also wanted to preserve Buddhist culture and teachings. Today, the monastery is not just limited to Tibetan Buddhist, but also to general travellers mostly from within Asia. People get curious as well as interested in knowing the history of the monastery.

The History of Thupten Choling Monastery

In AD 1959, there was a major political change in Tibet. Many Buddhist monks and other people fled to Nepal. Trulsik Rinpoche was also among the monks who arrived in Nepal. They lived in other monasteries in the Khumbu region temporarily. Later, they knew that they were either going to be there for a long time or forever. It was then that they thought of the plan to build the Thupten Choling Monastery.

In 1968, Trulsik Rinpoche and other monks created the monastery. But the structure was not strong enough. So it started to deteriorate by 1990. The monastery went through a rebuilding project funded by various agencies starting in the year 2001. Sadly, Rinpoche passed away in 2011, but the monastery continues to serve the purpose it was built for.

Trulsik Rinpoche dedicated his life to the study, practice, and propagation of Buddhism. He founded Thupten Choling with the intention of providing a peaceful environment for the Tibetan community to learn about Buddhism.

The monastery has now grown. Students from Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, India, and many other countries come to the monastery for Buddhist learning. The monastery still holds the sacred texts, ancient rites, meditation methods, and philosophical teachings handed down from generation to generation.

Why Visit Thupten Choling Monastery?

Thupten Choling Monastery’s number of visitors is increasing every year. Buddhist people and people of other religions visit the monastery for various reasons. 

The first reason to visit the monastery is that you will experience authentic Buddhist ceremonies of Tibetan monks. This is not some performance for tourists; it’s a part of their daily lives. You may also get to see the masked dance they do sometimes. You’ll get to live a spiritual immersion.

Another of the main reasons why the place attracts tourists is its natural beauty. Surrounded by lush green forests, remote Sherpa villages and panoramic views of neighbouring mountains, the monastery seems like a different world. The serene landscape complements the whole experience. This place becomes more special if you’re someone fond of photography. 

The time factor is also another reason for you to visit here. This trek can be done within 2 days. It allows you to enjoy the beauty of the Everest region without much time and effort. If you have limited time, you should definitely choose the Thupten Choling Monastery trek as your next travel plan. 

Side View of Thupten Choling Monastery

Whether you are interested in knowing the Buddhist philosophy or the history of the monastery, your expectations will be met after taking this trek. 

How Thupten Choling Compares to Other Nepali Monasteries

Kathmandu Valley is rich in cultural heritage of all different religions. The same goes with the Buddhist Monasteries or Gumbas. The word “Gumba” comes from the Tibetan word ”Gompa”, which translates to “place of meditation”, where spiritual practices are performed by the nuns and monks. You will find such places both inside and outside the valley.

If you ask the local people of Kathmandu about the most famous monastery, you will hear the name of Kopan Monastery. Established in the late 1960s, it is well known for meditation retreats targeting foreigners, with structured introductions on Buddhism in the English language. So, a lot of tourists, especially from Western countries, choose Kopan Monastery for the cultural understanding of Buddhism. 

Thupten Choling offers something categorically different. It rewards you with an experience of authenticity. Where Kopan and the Kathmandu monasteries function partly as bridges between Buddhist tradition and curious outsiders, Thupten Choling actually accommodates experienced Buddhist practitioner that simply happen to allow respectful guests inside.

One having lesser time and who are looking for the basics of the religion should go for Kopan Monastery. However, if you have the time and desire to see the monastic life closer to nature itself, you must opt for Thupten Choling. It provides you with an unforgettable experience that few places in Nepal can offer.

How to Reach Thupten Choling Monastery

The itinerary to reach the Thupten Choling Monastery is as follows:

Day 1: Fly to Phaplu and Trek to Junbesi

On day 1, all travelers will meet at the Tribhuvan International Airport, where we take a 45-minute flight to Phaplu. I The views of the majestic Himalayan peaks on your way will surely be out of this world. After landing at Phaplu, we’ll trek for roughly 5-6 hours to reach Junbesi, where we’ll spend the night.

Day 2: Hike from Junbesi to Thupten

For the second day, we will do a 2-hour walk from Junbesi to Thupten. We will tour around the monastery and surrounding places. Thupten lies on the rural side of Nepal. So, you will be able to see hills, terraced farms, rivers, and traditional villages. Later, we will drive back to Kathmandu after exploring and learning about Buddhist practices.

This itinerary is best for those people who want a Himalayan trekking experience in a short time. 

Meditation and Spiritual Learning

The atmosphere around the monastery feels really calm. You get to leave behind the hustle and bustle of life. For Tibetan Buddhists and Sherpas, it’s a place to learn, be kind, pray, and change personally.

Monks of various ages and backgrounds come here for spiritual practice. They pray, chant, learn from seniors, and meditate for hours. People travel far to get blessings, attend ceremonies, or meditate in peace. 

If you do not want to take any sessions but want to explore the monastery, you can do that too.

The Scenic Beauty Around the Monastery

The area around the monastery is as interesting as the monastery. Thupten Choling Monastery Nepal provides a spectacular 360-degree view.

Scenic Beauty around Thupten Choling Monastery

The flowers, particularly the rhododendrons, which are also the national flower of Nepal, add great colours to the landscape if you are travelling during the spring season. Fall is generally clear with great mountain views. You get to wake up with the birds’ chirps, and evenings reward you with dreamy sunsets. 

Architecture of Thupten Choling Monastery

The architecture of Thupten Choling Monastery is in the style of Tibetan Buddhism and fits in well in the Himalayan setting.

At first glance, we see whitewashed buildings decorated with intricate wooden carvings, brightly painted window frames, and vibrant prayer flags fluttering from rooftops.

All of the architectural symbols hold some symbolic meaning.

Architecture of Thupten Choling Monastery

In the main Assembly hall, you’ll discover large statues of the Buddha, Guru Rinpoche (Padmasambhava), as well as other major Buddhist practitioners. Butter lamps create a smoky smell of incense that fills the entire room.

The wall-mounted paintings known as thankas contain elaborate visual depictions of different segments of the cosmos and meditative states, all passed down through the generations of Buddhism.

Wildlife and Nature Around the Monastery

Even if you are a traveller who wants only the natural beauty, this place will not deceive you. Urbanization and modern lifestyle have not affected the natural beauty and wildlife around. So you get to see nature in her most native form.

Among the list of beautiful places to visit in Nepal, if you are the kind of person who is fond of observing nature and its beauties, then this is definitely the place for you. Not just natural beauty, but this place also has a rich collection of wildlife in terms of variety. 

Trekking routes to Thupten Choling Monastery, Solukhumbu, Nepal go through rich pine, oak, fir, and rhododendron forests. During springtime, flowers in red and pink shades of Rhododendrons cover the entire forest, making it feel nothing less than heaven. Trek during the Autumn season; the weather is crystal clear, and there’s greater visibility of the surroundings.

Wildlife and Nature Around the Monastery

Various types of Himalayan Wildlife inhabit the forest area of Junbesi. During the trek, you could see various types of Himalayan birds such as monals, pheasants, eagles, and many more. If you are fortunate, you may even get a view of the musks and the Himalayan thar. The monastery is set amidst a beautiful and peaceful natural environment. Travellers also love the place because of the various flora and fauna present.

Why This Monastery Deserves More Recognition

We all know of the famous attractions of Nepal such as Mount Everest, Lumbini and the Boudhanath Stupa. But unfortunately, the country’s less publicized places get overlooked a lot by foreign tourists. Thupten Choling Monastery is surely one of the few of those undiscovered cultural spots that travelers need to get to know because of its interesting history, cultural value, and beautiful nature.

Thupten Choling Monastery not only has great cultural significance but is also rich in natural beauty. It has nearly everything a tourist might be looking for in a travel destination, but it’s just not popular amongst travelers. It is a functioning Tibetan Buddhist monastery where monks and nuns still practice the traditions and holy sayings that date back hundreds of years and where the spiritual beings practice the life according to mindful principles.

The history of this place dates back to the 20th century, but it holds Tibetan roots even today. So, it becomes even more meaningful for Buddhists all over the world to visit. 

A lot of people plan their trek to the regions with better flow of tourists and therefore go for the EBC or Pikey Peak trek. But with a slight change in the itinerary of the EBC trek or the Pikey Peak trek, you can make a visit to Thupten as well. 

At an altitude of 3,867m on a ridge above the Dudh Koshi valley, Tengboche Monastery is the largest and most famous gompa in the Khumbu region, with unobstructed views of Everest, Ama Dablam, and Lhotse.

Responsible Tourism

It becomes important to preserve the natural environment no matter where you are going for a tour. We encourage all tourists to show some responsibility to keep the area clean as well as peaceful while visiting the monastery.

You can do some simple actions like:

• Carry reusable water bottles and refill wherever water is available
• Avoid leaving litter on trekking trails; instead, keep all your waste in a polythene bag
• Support local businesses and guesthouses to encourage local people
• Dress respectfully because the place requires you to follow some etiquette
• Follow monastery guidelines for maintaining a peaceful experience 

Responsible Tourism helps preserve the monastery’s spiritual atmosphere while ensuring that future generations can continue to experience its beauty and heritage. 

Book your trip with Access Nepal Tour and Trekking

Access Nepal Tour and Trekking has been dedicated to offering authentic cultural and spiritual trips in Nepal for years. Our trips offer you a safe and comfortable experience. From your transfers to the trekking lodge and all other arrangements, such as a well-experienced and English-speaking trekking guide, are handled with special attention to your comfort, allowing you to enjoy your journey at the utmost ease.

We’ll ensure that your Thupten Choling Monastery tour is totally hassle-free and enjoyable as you traverse through authentic villages, witness Tibetan culture, and witness the calm solitude of Thupten Choling Monastery in the heart of Solukhumbu, Nepal.

Thupten Choling Monastery was hit hard by the 2015 earthquake. The massive April 2015 earthquake severely damaged the monastery’s structures, just over a decade after the big reconstruction had finished.

Travel with us, Travel Responsibly. While trekking and touring with us at Access Nepal Tour and Trekking, you are contributing to responsible and sustainable travel because we value the local cultures and support eco-friendly travel. We make sure our trips contribute to the communities in Nepal as much as possible. Explore the Spiritual Himalaya Now. Book your Thupten Choling Monastery trip with Access Nepal Tour and Trekking today.