Ta'er Lamasery（塔爾寺）

Located 25 kilometers (15.53 miles) southwest to Xining City, the Ta'er Monastery is one of six famous monasteries in the Gelugpa Sect (also called Yellow Hat Sect) of Tibetan Buddhism. It is said to be the birthplace of Zongkaba (1357-1419), the founder of the Gelugpa Sect.

Founded in 1379, the lamasery has a history of more than 600 years. It sits on the slopes of a mountain, covering an area of 600 mu (40 hectares). With a combination of Tibetan and Han architectural styles, it is a complex that embraces 9,300 structures, including scripture halls, Buddha halls, lamas' residences, and Buddhist pagodas.

Butter sculptures, mural paintings and embroidery are three spectaculars specialties of the Ta'er Lamasery.

Admission:80 yuan (US$12.56)/person