Drak Yerpa

Introducing Drak Yerpa
Drak Yerpa is one of the holiest retreats cave in U. Drak Yerpa and also the must go place for the believers and those who are interest in Tibetan Buddhism. Many prominent figures of Tibetan history and famous preachers have meditated in Drak Yerpa, from Songtsen Gampo to Guru Padmasambhava and Atisha.

Drak Yerpa Fast Facts
• Chinese Name: Zha Ye Ba Si 扎耶巴寺
• Best Time to Visit: March to October
• Recommended Visiting Hours: About 2 to 3 hours
• Things to Do: Photography, Caves, Tibetan Buddhism
• Opening Hours: 09:00-17:30
• Entrance Fee: CNY 30; Free in winter
• Address: Dagze District, Lhasa, Tibet

What to expect at Drak Yerpa

After the first cave of Drak Yerpa was established by his Tibetan wife, Songtsen Gampo meditated here. Many followers of Padmasambhava and Atisha have been meditating here. Drak Yerpa offers stunning view of the Tibetan landscape and is a great trip from Lhasa.

Drak Yerpa is unique in the way that the temple is built from the cave. Drak Yerpa is recorded to have 108 caves for its followers to meditate and spread the Dharma.

Drak Yerpa’s natural environment is fantastic. Lines of pines are erect on the mountain, thick and green. Clear streams are bubbling when they pass from the mountain. Beautiful flowers and birds make the Drak Yerpa like a landscape from the picture.

How to get to Drak Yerpa
• By Bus: take shuttle buses from the square of Jokhang Monastery to Drak Yerpa.
• Rent a car/bus from GGC to enjoy a hassle free private transfer from hotels in Lhasa to Drak Yerpa.

Additional travel advice on Drak Yerpa
• Please wear comfortable hiking shoes as the roads on the mountain are slippery.
• Drak Yerpa is a religious site, so visitors should dress modestly, behave with good manner. Do not talk too loud. Do not smoke inside the temple.
• In the principle of Tibetan culture, walking around temples, palaces and turning praying wheels should follow the clockwise direction.
• Sunglasses and sun cream are always needed to protect from the sunburn and strong ultraviolet radiation in the daytime.