Larung Valley, Garze, Sichuan, China
Larung Valley is a town in Sêrtar County of Garzê Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, in Sichuan. The population of over 40,000 comprises primarily monks and nuns making it possibly the largest religious institute in the world, and is based around the Serthar Institute founded by Jigme Phuntsok.
It was founded in 1980 in the uninhabited valley by Jigme Phuntsok, a lama of the Nyingma tradition. The academy has grown substantially since: as of 2015, it is home to over 40,000 monks and nuns. Nuns and monks are segregated by age and sex. Housing for monks and nuns are divided by a winding road that divides the city.
Epic China Culture & Adventure Route © Monika Newbound
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