Achung Namdzong Nunnery lies in the middle of red clay mountain forest inside the Kanbula Natonal Park. It is 100 km south of Xining, the capital city of Qinghai Province and 90km north of Rebkong / Tongren county. Traditionally this region belongs to Amdo Tibet.
Namdzong Nunnery view from Namdzong Tse.
Achung Namdzong is revered as one of the 25 important power places of Kham and Amdo Tibet, specifically symbolizing the mind aspect of Buddha mind. During persecution of Buddhism in Central Tibet by the last king of Tibet, the three high scholars fled from Lhasa to Amdo and stayed in the caves at Achung Namdzong for 20 year. In late centuries, Achung Namdzong was visited by most of the important Nyingmapa masters from all over Tibet.
Achung Namdzong Nunnery in Amdo Tibet.
Four monasteries are built around the Achung Namdzong because of its land features and power.
Achung Namdzong Samten Chopeling Nunnery
Achung Namdzong nunnery was founded by Gurong Natsok Rangdol in 1710, originally it was the main place where a famous meditation practitioner called Yeshi Dolma took life time practition here in Achung Namdzong. This nunnery became the most important Nyingmapa school in Amdo, visited by many Dzogchen masters in Kham and Amdo.
Namdzong Nunnery in Qinghai, Amdo Tibet
The nunnery has a large stupa in front of the main temple and eight small stupas symbolizing the major events in the life of Shakyamuni Buddha. The main temple contains images of Padmakara and his two consorts, along with Manjughosa and Tara. The murals depict the 35 confession Buddhas, 16 elders and Longchen Nyingtig lineage.
The one thousands hands Avalokiteshvara in Namdzong Tse Temple.
Namdzong Tse or Dzatro Dorjeling
The temple at the roof of Namdzong Tse was originally founded in 1913, it functioned as an important hermitage for Nyingma practice. The caves of three monks are also located at Namdzong Tse, there are traces of original murals. Nowadays it accessible by newly built wooden ladders on the north side of the hill all the way to top.
The Temple on the top of mountain in Namdzong Nunnery in, Amdo Tibet
There are 3 ways to get Achung Namdzong Nunnery.
- 1st way and the main way is to drive the main gate of Kanbula National Park in Gyatsa County and then continue drive about 6km in side the National park to reach the nunnery.
- 2nd way drive to Lijiaxia Hydro Power Station from Hualong County and take a 20 minutes boat and then walk about 1 km to get to the nunnery.
- 3rd way is entry the Kanbula National Park from west gate from Gui’de county and drive about 5km reach to the nunnery.
White Stupa in Namdzong Nunnery in Qinghai.
The Entrance fee to Kanbula National Park is 280CNY per person. If you travel from Hualong County, the boat fee may cost about 100CNY.
Travel info about Kanbula National Park, please click here
