Changzhub Monastery

　　Built in the Songtsan Gambo period in the 7th century, the Changzhub Monastery, or
Changzhub Chomaihakang, is located on the east bank of the YarlunRiver three kilometers southeast of Zetang Town. It was one of the first group of Buddhist halls built during the Tubo period. According to legend, when Princess Wencheng entered Tibet, she calculated that one of the vanquished demon Raksasi's arms was in the southwest of Gungbort Mountain. So the building of a monastery could ensure the peaceful and prosperous state in the Tubo Kingdom and the smooth construction of the Jokhang Monastery. However, there was a lake in the southwest and a five-head dragon in the lake made trouble.

　　Therefore, Songtsan Gambo began to cultivate himself according to a Buddhist doctrine and defeated the monster dragon. Then the lake water became less and the lake eventually dried up. The lake was filled with earth and a Buddhist hall was built on it and given the name YI~h~ngzhub~Y This hall had a small scale, but was later transformed and expanded by Qamqoi Gyaincain of the Pagmo Zhuba Regime, forming its initial pattern. During the period of the 5th and 7th Dalai Lamas, the monastery was repaired and the architecture was made more complete.

　　The construction area of the Changzhub Monastery is 4,667 square meters. It possesses 21 Lhakangs and a long corridor. The roof is decorated with a splendid golden top that adds elegance to the monastery. The Dalai Lamas from the 5th on all came to burn incense and worship at the monastery. According to the monastery's records, the Tang Princess Wencheng once stayed here.

　　There are many rare treasures and cultural relics collected at the Changzhub Monastery, such as exquisite and beautiful pearl Tangka pictures, a copper pot used by Princess Wencheng, and bronze vessels made in the reign of Xuande in 1426 in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644). The State Council designated the Changzhub Monastery as part of the country's first group of major cultural relics units under State protection.