Pelyul or Baiyu county (3150m) is located in Ganzi prefecture in western Sichuan province. It is a large and rapidly expanding town with great number of Han Chines. The most Khampas with traditional Tibet clothes you see in town are on pilgrimage from outside town. Though the number of Tibetans who live in town getting less but the Pelyul Monastery which located upper side of the town is huge and prosperity.
Palyul Monastery (ch Baiyu si) is one of the six great “mother monasteries” following the Nyingma School, or Ancient Translation Tradition, of Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery was founded in 1665 in the Kham province of eastern Tibet (present-day Baiyu, Sichuan, China) by Kunzang Sherab, the First Palyul Throne Holder.
The construction of Pelyul Monastery has shown the traditional Tibetan style which normally built against a slope of mountain. Among the temples in the monastery, the Chagrakhang or Lhasarkhang which was constructed by Kunzang Sherab is the most important temple in the monastery. The temple contains a gilded copper image of Jowo Shakyamuni in the form of Jowo Yeshin Norbu, as well as frescoes of the Namcho dieties. The other temples are assembly hall, Dorsem Lhakhang, Library.etc.
You can walk to the monastery from the main street in town, there is a trail leading up the Assembly Hall in the southern end of the town. After visiting temples, you can keep walk up to the image of Stupa made from the prayer flags, where you can seat with local pilgrims and enjoy the sun. If you want to walk more, I suggest climb up the slope of opposite mountain, this can be done behind the 456 hotel. There is a trail to heading to village and up into the forest. This is one of the best place to take photos of the monastery.
The following photos taken when lamas of Pelyul Monastery giving teaching and blessing locals.
5 Lama’s offer blessing water to the locals in Pelyul/Baiyu Monastery
Local Tibetans waiting for lama’s blessing in Pelyul.
Road between Pelyul/Baiyu to Ganzi/Gantse/Kantse
