Gangtey Goenpa above the valley
Gangtey Goenpa, also written Gangteng, stands on a forested spur above the valley floor, surrounded by a small village. It was founded in 1613 by Gyalse Pema Thinley, grandson of the treasure-revealer Pema Lingpa, and is the main seat of his tradition in western Bhutan. A community of monks studies and lives here.
The main temple was dismantled and rebuilt between 2001 and 2008 using traditional joinery and local timber, and its large assembly hall is richly painted. Visit in the morning, when monks are at prayer, then look out from the courtyard over the whole valley and the crane roosting grounds.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
Who founded Gangtey Goenpa?
Gyalse Pema Thinley, a grandson of the 15th-century Bhutanese saint Pema Lingpa, founded it in 1613. It became the main seat of the Pema Lingpa tradition in western Bhutan, and a line of reincarnate lamas still heads it. The monastery was restored between 2001 and 2008.
Can tourists enter Gangtey Goenpa?
Yes, with a guide, during visiting hours. Photography is not allowed inside the temples. Dress modestly with long sleeves and long trousers, remove your hat and shoes where asked, and keep quiet if prayers are under way. Some rooms may be closed during ceremonies.
Is Gangtey Goenpa far from the valley floor?
It sits on a ridge above the western side of the valley, a few minutes' drive from the main hotels and farmhouses. You can also walk up from the valley floor in about 30–40 minutes. The nature trail starts close by, so many visitors combine the two in a morning.
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