Yumbulakang


Yumbulakang, reputed as the first palace in Tibet history, is also the oldest extant building in Tibet. It stands
looking like a tent pitched on the summit of a hill, narrow at the top and broad at the bottom. The alls are still
standing, the windows still in evidence, and only the roof had long since collapsed.

Yumbulakang is the oldest-known dwelling in Tibet, its construction surrounded by various myths and legends
associated with the founding of the Tibetan civilization. One such myth tells that King Nyatri Tsenpo descended
from heaven in the 2nd century BCE to build the castle. Another legend claims that the 28th King of Tibet, Lha
Totori Nyentsen, resided here late in the 4th century.

The Yumbulakang complex, positioned dramatically on the crest of a hill, consists of three components: the
tower, the chapels and the monks’ quarters. The Three-storied tower, located at the east of the complex,
contrary to its appearance is only 11 meters high. Each floor contains a small chapel located within its limited
interior space. The main chapel building was also originally three stories high. However, only two of these storeys were rebuilt during
reconstruction in 1982. Of these, the first is dedicated to the historical Kings of Tibet and the second to local Buddhist deities. The final component
of the structure, the monks’ quarters, are located to the south of the chapel building. The Nyingma sect monks, those duty it was to upkeep the
castle and chapel, were quartered on first floor, while the second floor room, adjacent to the chapel’s second floor, was reserved for the use of
Dalai Lama.

Not far from the ancient castle, is a plot of land shaped like a scythe, and enclosed by low walls. This is known as Zorthang, Scythe Plain, and is

reputed to be the first cultivated field in Tibet. It is a tradition for pilgrims and farmers alike to collect soil from
this place and to sprinkle it on their own plot to ensure a good harvest. Each year at sowing time the small
community of monks, still at Yumbulakang, conduct rituals to propitiate its earth spirits.

Tibet kings and their ministers are enshrined in a small chapel of the palace. Upstairs in the chapel is a small
chanting hall, which houses statues of Sakyamuni and Chenrezi. A mural gallery above tells of Nyatri Tsenpo's
arrival from the sky and stories about him as well as of Tibetan history.