Sakya Travel Guide

Located in the southwest of Tibet, around 93 miles from Shigatse, Sakya is a small and remote township with a famous ancient temple built in the 11th century.

At an altitude of 13,776 feet, Sakya is relatively high and offers spectacular views of the surrounding mountain ranges. The terrain is rugged and dramatic with steep mountains, high falling waterfalls and spectacular rocky cliffs. Sakya is a popular destination for Tibetan Buddhists to travel to see the famous Sakya Monastery.

The main attraction for Sakya is the monastery, which is also a school for Tibetan Buddhism. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the Mongols of Sakya produced an array of stunning religious paintings some of which can be seen at the monastery.

Getting There & Away

Sakya’s rather remote location makes getting there a challenge. Long bus rides and private taxis are required to reach the small township. The city of Shigatse is around 93 miles northeast of Sakya and has an extensive network of road and rail options to the capital city of Lhasa. Lhasa has an airport with frequent flights to other major cities in the region including Beijing (4 hours).

Things to Do

Sakya Attractions

· 1 - Sakya Monastery

Is a stunning buddhist monastery built in 1073 and is home to over 28,000 volumes of sermons. the impressive temple is rated as one of the best in tibet. sakya monastery is also home to one of the four major buddhist schools of tibet.