Toling Monastery / Tholing Monastery

Tholing Monastery also spelled Toling monastery was built in 997 AD by the second King of the Guge Kingdom – Yeshe -o when Toling as the capital city of Guge, and were constructed under the guidance of the great translator Rinchen Zangpo who traveled to Kashmir and India to study and translate with other 20 young monks with the help of King Yeshe – O , Among these 20 monks. Only two monks survived in the severe climate and environmental condition, and returned to Tibet safely, Rinchen Zangpo was one of them, and built this oldest monastery in western Tibet.

Later, A Indian master Atisha was invited to Guge in 1042 AD and spent three years in Toling monastery, which promoted the revival of Buddhism in Tibet. One of famous sect – Kadampa was founded by Atisha, as a result, Buddhism got spread from Toling to whole Tibet.

Tholing Monastery became one of the must see in Ngari regioin, not only because of the important role in Tibet history, but also the landscape in Toling. You can see the open earthed valley with this ancient stupas made by earth standing at the bank of Sutlej River.

If you are staying one night in Zhada or Tholiing, then I strongly recommend to visit the Toling Monastery in the late afternoon for the sunset. There is a small door you can go out towards river from the monastery wall. Then there is a the ruins of old Toling Monastery, no constructions left but you will see the ruins of stupas, Mani stones as well as colorful prayer flags.  

Nowadays, apart from looking for traces of the past by standing on this piece of land, many ancient precious and well-preserved frescoes can tell and witness its glorious time.