Sertar Travel Guide and Tour Packages
Sertar Larung Gar (the Buddhist School) is currently closed for foreign travelers due to mutiple reasons. Travel companies were told not to organize travelers to go there. Its re-open time is not clear. Residents of Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan are allowed to visit Serta. More Details. Seda, also known as Sertar, is a Tibetan town in northwest Sichuan Province. It is located by the meeting point of Sichuan and Qinghai Province. It is neighboring Ganzi, Shiqu. It has a population of about 16,000 and an elevation of 4000 meters above sea level. Seda is far and cold but it is home to many Tibetan cultural wonders and beautiful landscape.
Larung Gar Buddhist School
Larung Gar School
Seda Wuming Buddhist School, or Larung Gar Buddhist Institute, is located in a valley called Larong 20km south to the town of Seda. It is considered one of the biggest Buddhist schools in the world. It was know by the world since 1990s. Lots of Buddhist masters studied and graduated from here. In this valley, thousands of houses spread out over the mountain sides. All the wooden houses are with red color and used as dormitories for Lama (monk) and Juemu (nun). By the top of the mountain lie a few temples and Buddhist halls. These temples are not considered big but all in a full and even overwhelmed decoration. The most significant construction is the Temple City by the top. It is the destination of a pilgrimage that is done by many deep-faith Buddhists. It is widely believed to walk around the Temple City (Zhuanjing) and turn the wheels bring you good health and luck.
Devil Conversion Tower
It is located 2km outside of Seda town. This tower was built at the beginning of 20th century. It is 52 meters tall and has 9 stories. It is a beautiful tower and a good place to explore in Seda.
Seda Golden Horse Festival
Golden Horse Festival is a big event to worship the nomads’ god within Seda. The festival falls on the fourth day of the fifth month in Tibetan Lunar Calendar.
The other Buddhist interests in Seda also include Jixiang Buddhist Library, Laze Monastery, Naze Gompa, Dalong Monastery and Sera Monastery.
Recommended length of visiting: half day to 2-3 days;
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Explore Larung Gar Buddhist School
Walk the complex to see the life of local monks and nuns. Sertar Buddhist School is the largest Buddhist school in the whole Tibet. It is home to over 20,000 monks and nuns. Find the photo spots at each ridge of the school and catch the schooling time.
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Watch Sky Burial
The Sky Buirial is open to public and it is usually held in the afternoon from 1pm to 3pm everyday. Prepare to get shocked when the sky burial monk feeding the eagals. Visitors are allowed to take photos from far away.
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Photography
Sertar is good for photographers all year round. Sunrise and sunset are available in this school. It is open 24 hours.
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Festivals
There are 4 main festivals in Larung Gar.
Shenbian Month Great Payer: 9th Feb to 22nd Feb in total 15 days
Sakya Month Prayer: 14th May to 21st May in total 8 days
Mingjing Month Prayer: 3rd Aug to 10th Aug in total 8 days
Youxi Month Prayer: 17th Nov to 24th Nov in total 8 days
Useful Sertar Travel Tips
Gathered below is the most useful travel guide to Sertar. Important travel information of Sertar includes travel season and climate, detailed and useful Sertar travelers’ maps, tips for traveling in Sertar, accommodation and food issues about traveling to Seda.
Travel Season
The best time to visit Seda is in June and November Raining season is between June and September each year. Winter comes by November until the next March when the temperature drops down to as low as -10C. Air is very dry and oxygen is lower than standard due to the high elevation at Seda. During summer time which is July and August, the temperature is between 10C to 20C.
Planning Ideas
From 2016 Sertar was closed to foreign travelers due to mutiple reasons. However foreign travelers have tried on pirate trips and some managed to get there and visited the Buddhist School. Travel companies are not allowed to organize tours there for foreigners however if you go there independently you will be stopped rather than detained. Pirate trips are getting harder.
Independent Traveling
There are no places in Sichuan that doesn't allow foreigners to visit. There is no official notice given by any authority party that says foreigners can not visit Larung Gar (Serta Buddhist School). There is even hotel that can take foreigners in the county of Serta. Independent traveling is still possible to get to Serta and visit the school although normally you have higher chance of successful visit to the place with help from local people.
Accommodation and Food
There are good hotels in Seda Xian (20km west to the school) you can find including some 3 star modern hotels as well as some basic hostels. While for independent traveling it is a good idea to stay at local farmers/herders place or small guesthouses to avoid unnecessary troubles.
