Rongwo Gompa Monastery in Tongren / Rebkong (Qinghai, China) - Buddhist Temples and Public Shrines on Waymarking.com

The Rongwo Gompa (In Chinese: Longwu Si) monastery complex, founded in XIVth century, is only a short stroll away from the modern Tongren centre. It's surprisingly large, perhaps as big as Xiahe, but we have it all to ourselves. You can spend a good few hours wandering about this atmospheric place.

The temples are a mixed bunch of old and new as the complex, having suffered extensive damage during the Cultural Revolution, is currently undergoing some massive restoration. Highlights are the gruesome paintings and carvings of scenes from hell, vividly depicted skulls, heads with the eyes popping out, fearsome monsters, demons and such, which decorate some of the oldest temples. And on a more spiritual note, the small footprints and soft round dents, worn into the wooden floor in front of a particularly venerated Buddha statue by an elderly lama prostrating himself thousands of times...

Rebkong (known as Tongren in Chinese) is a mid-sized town in eastern Amdo. The town lies next to the Longwu River which is a tributary of the Yellow River. Rebkong sits in a valley at 2500 m with mountains on all sides. It is known in Tibet as a center for Tibetan art. Thangkas (Tibetan Buddhist paintings) from Rebkong can be found in homes and monasteries all across Tibet. In Rebkong and in several of the small villages nearby, you can see the Tibetan artist's carefully painting thangkas in great detail. Art students from Amdo and beyond come here to study under skilled artists until they become master painters themselves.

Photos of the shrine are strongly encouraged when permitted otherwise please refrain from taking pictures inside and in any case, generally have respect for the religious nature of the site.