Litang Chode

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Overview

Litang Chode is also known as Litang Chode Ganden Tubchen Chokhorling, in Chinese Pin-Yin “Chang Qing Chun Ke Er Si” . It is located on the slope of Moraca Mountain in the north of the town..

Brief

Originally, it was a Black-Sect (Bon) Monastery. During the Wan-Li Period of Ming Dynasty (1580 AD), the third Dalai Lama – Suo-Nan Gyatso changed it to the Yellow-Sect (Gelug Pa) monastery and had it Consecrated. It is the oldest and largest Yellow-Sect (Gelug Pa) monastery in the east Tibet of Kham.

Meaning of monastery

“Chang Qing Chun Ke Er” is indeed the pronunciation of Tibetan language, the first two words “Chang Qing” means Maitreya Buddha (the future Buddha); the “Chun Ke Er ” means the Dharma Chakra that is always turning, and with fine truth forever.

Building, relics, and tradition

Litang Chode is built on the mountain covering an area of more than 500 acres with more than 4,300 monks. Among of whom, about 800 are the permanent residents.

The main hall is located at the highest point in the center of the temple. Since the end of 20^th Century, this monastery has been rebuilt and maintained under the support of local authority, the temple has restored Maitreya Hall, Asemblly Hall, Thousand Buddha Hall, Xianggen Dormitory, Jinding Red Palace; One 19-meter-high Maitreya Buddha and the Three Thousand Buddha Halls were donated by the locals.

There are unique Buddhist murals on the girders in the temple. The Golden Dome Palace features the spiritual towers of the 1^st and 2^nd Xiang-Gen Rinpoche. The gilded tower is engraved with various patterns and is also inlaid with Red turquoise, Dzi Bead, Agate, coral, amber and other treasures. There are also the footprints of the 3^rd and 5^thDalai Lama in the temple. If lucky, the ancient Buddhist scriptures of “Ganggyur” & “Dangyur” can be viewed.

Litang Chode Data

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How to get to there

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Litang Chode is located in the upwind area in the north of Litang Town; the nearest airport is Daocheng Yading Airport;

The fastest way to reach Litang Temple is to take a flight from Chengdu to Daocheng Yading Airport and transfer to a car for about 1.5 hours to reach Litang Chode. The total time is about 6 hours, including the waiting time at the airport;

But there is a big risk in doing so – Since the altitude of Litang Chode is 4100 meters, to travel from low altitude to a place with altitude of 4100 meters in a short time, travelers are likely to suffer from high altitude hypoxia.

Then it is recommended to start from Chengdu by land and use 2-3 days to avoid problems caused by high altitude.