Sacred Pilgrimage Sites

Alchi Monastery is a major monastery in Ladakh with stunning architecture and beautiful murals.

Where the Buddha attained enlightenment. The most sacred site in Buddhism, home to the Mahabodhi Temple and the…

Dhankar Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

Home of H.H. the Dalai Lama and the Tibetan Government in Exile. The beating heart of Tibetan culture…

Gangtok is the capital of Sikkim and a major center of Tibetan Buddhist culture and learning.

Gemur Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

Guru Ghantal Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Shiskar Apa.

Gyuto Monastery is a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Dharamsala, India.

Ladakh's largest monastery — Drukpa Kagyu. Home to a spectacular annual Tsechu festival and a rare 3-storey Padmasambhava…

The Key Monastery is a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery in the Spiti Valley known for its stunning architecture.

Keylong Kardang Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

Where the Buddha entered Mahaparinirvana. The Reclining Buddha Temple and Ramabhar cremation stupa mark this most sacred site.

Kye Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

Leh Palace is a historic palace in Ladakh that now serves as a museum.

Lhalung Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

Likir Monastery is a major Gelug monastery in Ladakh with stunning architecture and beautiful murals.

Matho Monastery is a significant Sakya monastery in Ladakh with stunning architecture.

Nako Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

The greatest Buddhist university in history. Nagarjuna, Chandrakirti, and Shantarakshita taught here. The intellectual source of Tibetan Buddhism.

Nechung Monastery is a small Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Dharamsala, India.

Nubra Valley is a scenic region in Ladakh with several important Buddhist monasteries.

Vulture Peak — where the Buddha taught the Prajnaparamita sutras. The source of all Mahayana philosophy.

Where the Buddha gave his first teaching. The Dhamek Stupa marks the spot of the First Turning of…

The great Gelug monastic university in exile — over 5,000 monks. The daily debate sessions are among the…

Shashur Monastery is a beautiful Buddhist site near Manali, dedicated to the Zongsa (Tsongkhapa).

Shey Monastery is a major Gelug monastery in Ladakh with stunning architecture and beautiful murals.

Stakna Monastery is a major Drukpa Kagyu monastery in Ladakh with stunning architecture and beautiful murals.

Stok Monastery is a significant Gelug monastery in Ladakh with stunning architecture.

The "Ajanta of the Himalayas" — over 1,000 years of continuous practice. Extraordinary 10th-century murals in the heart…

Tangyud Monastery is a historic Buddhist site in Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

India's largest Buddhist monastery at 3,048m — Gelug tradition. Birthplace of the 6th Dalai Lama, with 400 ancient…

Tayul Monastery is a beautiful Buddhist site near Manali, dedicated to the goddess Dorje Chenmo.

Thiksey Monastery is a major Gelug monastery in Ladakh with stunning architecture and beautiful murals.

Varanasi is a major pilgrimage destination for Buddhists, with numerous temples and monasteries throughout the city.

The great stupa of Boudhanath — heart of Tibetan Buddhism in exile. Surrounded by monasteries of all four…

Kopan Monastery is a major Buddhist monastery and a popular destination for trekking and hiking.

Birthplace of the Buddha. The Maya Devi Temple and Ashoka pillar mark the exact spot. One of the…

A tantric Vajrayogini site at 3,710m in the ancient Kingdom of Mustang. Sacred to both Buddhism and Hinduism…

Namobuddha is a major pilgrimage site for Buddhists and is considered one of the most important Buddhist sites…

The "self-arisen" stupa overlooking Kathmandu — 2,500 years old, watched over by the all-seeing eyes of wisdom. Sacred…

The sacred capital of Tibet. The Jokhang Temple houses the most precious Buddha statue in the Tibetan world.…

The axis of the universe — the most sacred mountain on earth. A single circumambulation erases the karma…

Tibet's first monastery — built by Guru Padmasambhava and Shantarakshita in 779 CE. Where the Tibetan monastic tradition…

The most beautiful dzong in Bhutan — at the confluence of two rivers, housing sacred relics and hosting…

Clinging to a cliff 900m above the Paro Valley — where Guru Padmasambhava meditated. The most iconic sacred…