Tradruk Temple

– The First Buddhist Temple In Tibet

History Of Tradruk Temple

Tradruk Temple has been the second of Tibet’s earliest great geometric temples after the Jokhang Temple in Lhasa and the first temple built in Tibet. The temple was built in the 7th century under King Songtsen Gampo.

Tradruk Temple is located in Nedong County of Lhoka in the Tibet Autonomous Region, just about seven kilometres south of the county seat, Tsetang. The most important treasure of Tradruk is a thangka embroidered with thousands of pearls which is said to have been made by Princess Wencheng herself. It depicts Wencheng as White Tara.

The thangka is kept in the central chapel on the upper floor, which is worth visiting. It is one of only three thangkas made by Princess Wencheng. The two others are in the reliquary stupa of the 5th Dalai Lama in the Potala Palace in Lhasa and Shigatse. Once you are at Tsedang, don’t miss this temple.

Tradruk Temple Travel Information

The Tradruk Temple is 7 kilometres from Tsedang City, reached by a good paved road. The temple is east of Tsedang and usually visited after visiting the Yumbu Lakang Palace. Tradruk Temple nowadays lies within the Tradruk village. 

Before visiting the Temple, you must register at the public security bureau in Tsedang. In most temples and monasteries around Tsedang, general security bureau officials check your registration paper. 

If you have enough time after visiting the Tradruk Temple, there are four places of interest outside the temple to visit:

• Neten Lakhang (West)
• Sangak Podrang (South)
• Guru Lakhang (Southeast)
• Namgyal Lakhang (North)