House of a noble family Location: 25 kilometers away from the town of Tsedang Construction dates: 16-17th centuries
ABOUT NAMSELING MANOR
The manor’s 22-meters high main building has 7 floors and it is the earliest multi-storied house in Tibet. It is located in Namseling Township, DraNang County, Tsedang Region.
The complex enclosed with a stone wall had the main building, chapel, stable, granary and a beautiful garden.
There are magnificent frescoes on the first floor, and a lot of it was restored. However, the main building still needs renovation and is currently closed for visitors.
View on valley and Namseling manor
HISTORY
Namseling was built during the Phakdru Dynasty, somewhere between the 16th and 17th century. During that time, Tibet was a feudal country, and one family owned the house. Several important figures originated from this family, including monks from Dorje Drak Monastery.
In 1959 most of the complex and the garden were destroyed and looted. The walls of the main building remained. Nowadays it is the oldest surviving multi-storied building in Tibet. Previously there were two walls surrounding the manor. Now only one wall stands enclosing the main building and a few small houses.
ARCHITECTURE
The elegant structure of Namseling is different from monasteries and temples architecture. It’s architectural style is typical for the manors of that time. Since no other large manors survived the cultural revolution, Namseling has high historical and architectural value.
The original main building of Namseling was4 floors high. However, later the new higher building was built, demonstrating refined Tibetan architecture. Different stages of construction of the manor show the development of Tibetan architectural style.
The one surviving wall still impresses. It stands about 10 meters high, 1 meter thick with watchtowers on its corners. The gate is about 3 meters wide. Right outside the wall there is a stone-lines trench about 5 meters wide. Four columns support the porch of the main building.
Planning your next adventure? China’s expansion of visa-free policy makes it easier than ever to explore Tibet’s breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural heritage. Travelers from many European, Asian, South American, and Middle Eastern countries can now enjoy up to 30 days of visa-free travel, opening the door to incredible experiences like traveling to Everest, joining a pilgrimage around Mount Kailash, or immersing yourself in the vibrant traditions of Lhasa.
The stars are aligning for what may be the most spiritually significant journey to Mount Kailash in six decades. In Tibetan Buddhist tradition and Hindu belief systems, Mount Kailash holds cosmic significance every day of the year. But during the Horse Year, something remarkable happens: the spiritual merit of a single circumambulation around the mountain…
Mount Kailash isn’t the tallest or the toughest mountain, but it might be the most mysterious. This pyramid-shaped mountain, sacred to four major religions, has turned away explorers and elite climbers for centuries despite being technically less challenging than many conquered Himalayan giants. Join us as we explore what’s stopping adventurers from scaling the world’s…
Plan your 2025 adventure to Tibet with our ultimate guide to train travel. Learn about updated booking rules, breathtaking routes, packing tips, and permits. Contact us to make your dream journey hassle-free!
West Air’s new Lhasa-Chongqing-Singapore route opens the door to breathtaking Tibetan landscapes. With seamless connections, special launch fares, and a 30-day visa-free policy for Singaporeans, your adventure awaits!
PREPARE FOR MOUNT KAILASH TOUR In this article, we will cover everything you need to know to prepare for the Mount Kailash trek, known as kora in Buddhism and yatra/parikrama in Hinduism. You will find information about required documents, when is the best time to visit, how to travel to Mount Kailash from Tibet, Nepal,…
