Zanpu Linka (赞普林卡) spans 43 acres, with a building area of 10,000 square meters and an additional 200 acres available for development. It is currently the only Tibetan royal temple on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau that integrates the eight major schools of Tibetan Buddhism. It is divided into two sections: the front courtyard features a Buddhist hall, while the back courtyard includes a Tibetan-style hotel and royal garden.
The main hall is a five-story Tibetan-style building. Its three-story atrium houses the world’s largest statues of the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, his queens Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti. Additionally, the hall features statues of the founders of eight Tibetan Buddhist schools, including Gelug, Nyingma, Sakya, Kagyu, Kadam, Jonang, Shije, and Bon, as well as over 100 Buddhist figures, including the Five Great Protectors and Four Heavenly Kings. The fourth and fifth floors contain statues of the Three Buddhas of Time: Dipankara (the Buddha of the past), Shakyamuni (the Buddha of the present), and Maitreya (the Buddha of the future).
The walls of the main hall are adorned with murals and Thangka paintings depicting the origins of the Tibetan people, Princess Wencheng’s journey to Tibet, the Sixteen Arhats of Tibetan Buddhism, the Eighteen Arhats of Chinese Buddhism, and stories of Shakyamuni Buddha.
A notable feature on the fourth floor is two jade statues of King Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng, confirmed by experts to be from the Northern Song Dynasty. Inside each statue are smaller jade figures: King Songtsen Gampo contains a statue of Amitabha Buddha, while Princess Wencheng contains Vairocana Buddha. It is speculated that relics may be hidden within these smaller statues, but due to preservation concerns, they remain unopened, adding a layer of mystery.
Visitors often stop by Zanpu Linka for a quick look at the architecture, statues, and Thangkas. However, commercialization has increased, and visitors may encounter monks encouraging offerings for blessings. Those who prefer a more spiritual or authentic experience may want to approach with caution.
Basic Information
| Estimated Length of Tour | 1 hour |
| Ticket Price | 40 RMB |
| Opening Hours | 9.00 – 17.00 |
| Telephone Number | 0086-0971-2432226 |
Location and Transportation
Zanpu Linka is located at No. 88 Qingzang Road, Huangyuan County, Xining City, Qinghai Province. It lies at the convergence of the ancient Southern Silk Road and the Three Gorges (Bayan Gorge, Yaoshui Gorge, and Dong Gorge), an important gateway on the Haizang route. The site is just 43 kilometers from Xining, the provincial capital.
To reach Zanpu Linka, you can take a train from Xining West Railway Station. There are two daily trains to Huangyuan: Train 7581 departs at 8:25 AM, and Train K9803 departs at 9:25 PM. Both journeys take about 40 minutes. Once you arrive in Huangyuan, you can take a taxi to the site. If you rent a car, you can also visit nearby attractions like the ancient town of Dangaer.
