– The Highest Monastery In The World
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Rongbuk monastery is the highest monastery in Tibet and the world, with an elevation of 4,980 meters (16,340 ft) above sea level. Although there were probably more than hundreds of monastic settlements in the region, the monastery is the main Buddhist centre.
The Rongbuk monastery was built in 1902 by the Nyingmapa Lama Ngawang Tenzin Norbu in an area of meditation huts and caves that had been in use by communities of nuns and monks since the 18th century.
The prominent stupa just right side of the entrance gate makes a great photograph with Mt. Everest at the back.Â
This is only the Nyingmapa monastery in the Everest region. Today, the monastery is accessible by road after an hour’s drive from the Friendship Highway from either Shelkar (New Tingri) or Old Tingri.
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Moreover, there is a trekking route from Old Tingri to Rongbuk monastery. The trek takes four days to reach Rongbuk, and the hike is one of the popular trekking routes in Tibet.
From Rongbuk Monastery, there are dramatic views of the north face of Mount Everest.
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There is a monastery guest house with a restaurant just opposite the side of the monastery. There are rooms with two beds, triple rooms, and also the dormitories. The basic facilities with clean rooms are an excellent place to stay overnight.
From 2019, there are 24 hours of electricity with Wi-fi services. In addition, there is good Western, Chinese, and Tibetan cuisine at the monastery restaurant.Â
