Namseling Manor

KEY FACTS

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.

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.

MORE PLACES TO VISIT NEARBY

YUMBULAGANG

Yumbulagang was originally a fortress, and it is the first building in Tibet. With the first Tibetan king, Yumbulagang became the first palace in the 2nd century. In the 7th century Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo moved the capital to Lhasa and Yumbulakhang became a temple. 

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SAMYE MONASTERY

Samye is the first Buddhist monastery in Tibet built in the 8th century. The monastery complex resembles the shape of a mandala. The central temple – Utse has three floors each built in a distinct style.
You can hike up the nearby Hepo Ri hill to get an incredible view of the Samye monastery from above.

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TRADRUK TEMPLE

Tradruk is one of the first Buddhist temples built by Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo in the 7th century. In Tradruk you will see the original 7th-century pearl thangka depicting Avalokiteshvara – Buddha of Compassion. The entire image of the Buddha is made of strings of natural pearls. 

Learn More

PLAN YOUR TRIP TO TIBET

VISA AND PERMITS

To visit Tibet, most tourists need a Chinese visa. In addition, your Tibetan agency will apply for Tibet Travel Permit.

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FLIGHTS TO TIBET

You can take a flight from all major cities in China and from Kathmandu in Nepal. Many of the flights are non-stop.

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TRAINS TO TIBET

Trains to Lhasa depart from all large Chinese cities. On the way, you will enjoy exceptional views of Tibetan plateau.

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