Kumbum Monastery (Temple of the Infinite Number of Pictures of the Buddha) Ta'er Si

In the Lusha'er district, 25km/15.5mi southwest of Xining, lies Kumbum Monastery, built in 1560-77 and covering a total area of 40ha/100acres. It is also known as the Temple of the Infinite Number of Pictures of the Buddha (Ta'er Si). It is one of the six largest Lamaist temple complexes in China. In the course of various restorations over the centuries Chinese features have been incorporated in the original Tibetan architecture. The latest restoration work was done in 1979. The whole is a giant complex of religious buildings including pagodas, palaces, temples, loggias and monastic cells. A 14m/46ft high stupa stands at the monastery entrance.

On the monastery forecourt can be seen eight round chortens (Ruyi Dagoba) - the Tibetan form of a stupa, or Buddhist shrine, decorated with high-reliefs; they represent the eight basic phases in the life of Shakyamuni - such as Birth, Victory over the Demons, Nirvana, etc.