Ta er Si
Temple
Ta er Si (Ta’er/ Kumbum Monastery) is a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery noted for its assembly halls, thangka painting tradition and annual religious festivals that attract pilgrims and cultural visitors.
Ta er Si, commonly known in English as Kumbum Monastery, is a major Tibetan Buddhist monastery in Huangzhong County, Qinghai province, China. Founded in 1583, it is an important center of the Gelug school and a significant regional pilgrimage site.
The complex comprises multiple temples, chapels and stupas with Tibetan architectural and artistic features, including painted walls and statuary. It functions both as a monastic institution and as a place of worship for lay pilgrims.
The monastery was founded in the late 16th century and developed over subsequent centuries into one of the principal Gelug establishments on the northeastern edge of the Tibetan cultural area. It has undergone repairs and restorations at various times but retains its role as an active monastery.
The monastery is located in Huangzhong County on the Tibetan Plateau fringe, roughly 25 km from Xining, the provincial capital of Qinghai, and is accessed by road from Xining and nearby towns.
- Proximity to Xining: Approximately 25 km from the city of Xining, making it accessible for day visits from the provincial capital.
How to Get to Ta er Si #
Ta’er Si (Kumbum Monastery) is near Xining in Qinghai and is reached by road from Xining city. The monastery is roughly 20-30 km from downtown Xining; visitors typically take a taxi or one of the intercity buses/coach services from Xining’s bus stations that serve the monastery area (travel time around 30-60 minutes depending on service and traffic). Once at the complex the courtyards and halls are accessed on foot with only short walks between buildings.
Tips for Visiting Ta er Si #
- Visit Ta'er Si (Kumbum Monastery) early in the morning to observe monk prayers and ritual activity when the complex is at its liveliest, and to avoid large tour groups that arrive later in the day.
- Dress and behave respectfully inside the monastery (modest clothing, low voices); ask before photographing interior chapels or monks, as some areas restrict photography.
- Combine the site with a day trip from Xining and allow time to walk the monastery grounds and study halls rather than only viewing the main temple building-there are multiple chapels and mural cycles often missed by quick visits.
Best Time to Visit Ta er Si #
Best visited late spring through early autumn (May-September) when high‑altitude roads are most likely open and weather is milder.
Weather & Climate near Ta er Si #
Ta er Si's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) - Warm-Summer Continental (Dry Winter) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -18°C to 20°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall with a pronounced dry season.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of -1°C and lows of -18°C. The driest month with just 1 mm.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -14°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 7°C and lows of -8°C. Almost no rain and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 13°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cold with highs of 16°C and lows of 3°C. Moderate rainfall (53 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 6°C. Moderate rainfall (72 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 8°C. The wettest month with 99 mm of rain and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (88 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cold with highs of 15°C and lows of 4°C. Moderate rainfall (68 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of -2°C. Light rainfall and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is freezing with highs of 5°C and lows of -10°C. Almost no rain.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 0°C and lows of -16°C. The driest month with just 1 mm.
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