Basic Info
Tibetan Full Name: Minyag Lhagang Yongdzog Rabgyal Lhakang Thongdrol Samdrubling
Location: Tagong Town, Daofu County, Garzê Tibetan Prefecture, Sichuan (Historic Minyak-Kham region), elevation 3,700m
Sect: Originally Kagyu → converted to Sakya Sect (Sakyapa) over history
Nickname: Little Jokhang Temple of Kham
History
Founded rooted in the 7th-century Princess Wencheng legend (641AD):
When Princess Wencheng escorted the sacred Jowo Shakyamuni statue from Chang’an to Lhasa, the Buddha statue miraculously settled at this spot and refused to move onward. Locals carved an identical replica to enshrine here, founding the original shrine. The original sacred Jowo remains in Lhasa Jokhang Temple.
First built as a Kagyu gompa; restructured and switched to Sakya lineage in medieval times, with over 1,300 years of history.
Preserves precious relics: footprint of Yuan Dynasty sage Phagpa, self-speaking Avalokiteshvara statue, ancient sacred conch shell, master’s stupa of Indian Eighty Mahasiddhas.
Core Highlights
Sacred Jowo Sakyamuni Statue
The temple’s prime treasure, an exact duplicate of Lhasa Jokhang’s Jowo. Pilgrims widely believe praying here gains equal merits as pilgrimage to Lhasa.
108 White Stupas behind Main Hall
A row of orderly white chörtens at the rear courtyard, iconic landmark of Lhagang.
Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara Hall
Famous carved 1000-hand Guanyin statue in the left side auxiliary hall.
Circumambulation Kora Route
Local Tibetans and pilgrims circle the monastery clockwise daily to spin hundreds of outdoor prayer wheels.
Important Annual Festivals
1st–15th of 1st Tibetan Month: Grand New Year Wish-fulfilling Puja with masked cham dances
Mid-late 6th Tibetan Month: Seasonal religious ritual and open-air dharma ceremony
Travel Information
Opening: 08:00–18:00 daily
Surrounding: Tagong Grassland, sacred Yala Snow Mountain (5,820m), Muya Golden Pagoda nearby
Access: 110km northwest from Kangding City along Sichuan-Tibet Route 318
