CHINA - Yunnan - Shangri-La Songzanglin Monastery

Being the largest Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Yunnan, Songzanlin Monastery is one of the famous monasteries in the Kang region. It is located near Shangri-La. Construction of the monastery began in 1679 and was completed two years later. The monastery seems like a group of ancient castles and is composed of two lamaseries, Zhacang and Jikang. The gilded copper roof endows the monastery with strong Tibetan features and the 108 (an auspicious number in Buddhism) columns downstairs also feature the it with characteristics of Han nationality. The main halls in the monastery are magnificent, and on both the left and right sides are wonderful frescos, depicting Buddhist tales and legends.