5Ganden Monastery, Tibet
One of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism, Ganden Monastery is located on a ridge high above the Kyi-Chu Valley, approximately 30 miles east of Lhasa. Founded in the 15th century by Je Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism, Ganden is a significant pilgrimage site and a spiritual center for Tibetan monks. The monastery’s isolated position, at an altitude of 14,000 feet, offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. Despite its destruction during the Cultural Revolution, Ganden has been rebuilt, and its remote setting still exudes a deep sense of peace and spirituality.