Tango Buddhist Institute
Tango Buddhist Institute
4.5
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4.5
119 reviews
Excellent
72
Very good
45
Average
2
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Tonci
Croatia45 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
We simply have no words to explain to you how amazed we were by this place.
This temple is located on a hill, and to reach the temple, we had to walk uphill for an hour. We would have arrived earlier if we hadn't stopped every now and then to observe the beautiful nature. The path to the temple is concreted, but still a bit steeper. On the way, we could also see the forest monkeys teasing the dogs - this scene made us laugh heartily.
When we started to make our way to the temple itself, we were speechless. The complex consists of several buildings, which are located on a steep hillside. The most beautiful part is the main temple area with a place for worship. The main altar is beautiful, and on it there are the statues of the Buddha of the past, the Buddha of the present and the Buddha of the future, and all three Buddhas are surrounded by 8 great Budhisattvas. The temple complex was recently restored after the earthquake that hit Bhutan a few years ago. The pleasant smell of the polished wood could be felt in the temple. From the next room, we could hear the monks while they were having a ceremony and chanting mantras.
We visited this temple on the same day that we visited the neighboring Cheri temple, which we also recommend to everyone.
This temple is located on a hill, and to reach the temple, we had to walk uphill for an hour. We would have arrived earlier if we hadn't stopped every now and then to observe the beautiful nature. The path to the temple is concreted, but still a bit steeper. On the way, we could also see the forest monkeys teasing the dogs - this scene made us laugh heartily.
When we started to make our way to the temple itself, we were speechless. The complex consists of several buildings, which are located on a steep hillside. The most beautiful part is the main temple area with a place for worship. The main altar is beautiful, and on it there are the statues of the Buddha of the past, the Buddha of the present and the Buddha of the future, and all three Buddhas are surrounded by 8 great Budhisattvas. The temple complex was recently restored after the earthquake that hit Bhutan a few years ago. The pleasant smell of the polished wood could be felt in the temple. From the next room, we could hear the monks while they were having a ceremony and chanting mantras.
We visited this temple on the same day that we visited the neighboring Cheri temple, which we also recommend to everyone.
Written March 20, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Namgay Adventure Travels
Thimphu, Bhutan298 contributions
Jan 2023 • Friends
Tango Buddhist Institute, the original location, is currently undergoing renovations. Meanwhile, a new Buddhist university has been constructed at the base, offering better comfort for senior monks studying there. The brand new university features traditional architecture, with modern facilities and is easily accessible by a motorable road.
Written July 3, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PamelaSS888
Canberra, Australia1,219 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
When you visit Bhutan, one of the first places you may be taken to is the Tango Buddhist Institute, not far out of the capital Thimpu. It was founded in the 13th century and built in its present form in 1688. Make sure your guide and driver are as well prepared as ours were as they served lovely hot tea, coffee and snacks by a huge golden prayer wheel before the start of the hike up to the monastery. Everywhere in Bhutan is up or down and this well made path takes a good hour to walk up but you can get there one step at a time. It is worth the hike with spectacular views across the valleys and ancient temple buildings too see. Also make sure your guide takes you down the hill a bit to the ancient caves and a smaller temple - more stairs to climb up into the cave area but well worth a visit. When you go to the cave area, it is best not to walk around the outside in a clockwise direction in case you slip off. So return the way you entered back up the path. The trees and shrubs around the area are lovely and it is a very good place to start your visit to Bhutan as it gives you a good feel of the ancient monasteries and scenery.
Written December 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ugyen
Noida, India286 contributions
Dec 2019
Its Bhuddhist Institute and monastery. Also Pilgrimage place for Buddhist.
Max 30 Minutes walk from road.
Max 30 Minutes walk from road.
Written February 2, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen H
Chicago, Illinois23 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Our first day in Bhutan (Thimpu) had trek up to top and visit to temple (university) outside of Thimpu. About a 1.50 hour trek up with short "cliff" for those who dont like heights (moi). Another hour down and then we treked up to temple on opposite side of valley to make a very good 4-5 hour trekking day.
Written September 11, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Robin P
Brisbane, Australia169 contributions
May 2016
Walked up (unfit 50+ with a knee injury and it took 1:15). It started to rain on the way up and thankfully we had wet weather gear with us. Spectacular views. The monks were warm and friendly but didn't speak English so take a guide. With the exception of Taktsang, this would be my favorite Bhutanese monastery experience.
Written August 1, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Juana S
Bogota, Colombia22 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
I've done the trek up and down the hill several times, the walk up is amazing as monkeys and birds are everywhere. You can take the 'old path' which although longer, is less hard on your knees as the new is paved. I advice using trekking poles, they help a lot! Not all visitors are aware of the wall paintings that are in the monastery, you should ask your guide to take you to the first and second floor, north part of the 'utse' (north of the main hall), the wall paintings here are just superb! they date to 17th century and the skill and quality of the technique is something special. Notice the wood floor which is original (17th century). There are plenty more wall paintings around here (main hall dated to 18th century) and the private bed chamber of the 4th Deisi, which are also extraordinary (second floor). Have a walk around the site and make sure you pass-by the monk's toilets and continue walking around the hill, you will reach an amazing view of the Cheri Monastery from here.
Monks normally take classes in here (is a Bhuddist University), but a new building with plenty of accommodation for the monks and classrooms has been built down the hill recently.
This is one of the few monasteries in Bhutan that still stand in its original condition, as most of the other monasteries and temples, including Tiger's nest have been competently redone due to misleading renovation projects or fires that have destroy them.
Make sure you don't miss the wall paintings inside the monastery, and enjoy the trek!
Monks normally take classes in here (is a Bhuddist University), but a new building with plenty of accommodation for the monks and classrooms has been built down the hill recently.
This is one of the few monasteries in Bhutan that still stand in its original condition, as most of the other monasteries and temples, including Tiger's nest have been competently redone due to misleading renovation projects or fires that have destroy them.
Make sure you don't miss the wall paintings inside the monastery, and enjoy the trek!
Written January 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LamN
Singapore, Singapore5,270 contributions
Sep 2018 • Friends
Tango Buddhist Institute is the largest university for monks in Bhutan (8-9 year program). Depending on how fit you are, it takes between 1 hour and 2h30 to hike through beautiful scenery to get to the monastery. This is where the eighth reincarnation of Gyalshey Tenzin Rabgey Rinpoche, the master who built Tiger’s Nest in the 17th century, has been staying since he was discovered 18 years ago (he is now 23, and will be Chief Abbot of Bhutan at some point in the future.) If possible, ask to see the inner temple and hear the story of the Buddha’s statue, as well as the fascinating museum. The main temple room has an extremely peaceful atmosphere - great for a short meditation.
Written September 21, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TCsurrey
Surrey95 contributions
Nov 2016 • Friends
For me this was a much better experience than the Tiger's Nest hike. It will take you around 1 to 1.5 hours to hike up to Tango Guempa but you might well be the only one doing this other than a few monks and the requisite dog.
The views on the way up are exceptional, wonderful trees and the ever present mountains and , for me, deep blue skies.
The path is good, slate, but steep and coming down might be slippery if it were raining.
When you get to the top there is a working monastery housing a number of monks, we were lucky enough to see them doing their washing and at prayer.
The whole place has a mystical air and a calm and peaceful atmosphere, it is the antithesis to the puffing, panting mass tourism of Tiger's Nest and delivers an authentic view of monastic life.
There is renovation taking place but our guide was able to get some of the internal rooms opened for us to see.
This place was one of the highlights of my 2 weeks in Bhutan.
The views on the way up are exceptional, wonderful trees and the ever present mountains and , for me, deep blue skies.
The path is good, slate, but steep and coming down might be slippery if it were raining.
When you get to the top there is a working monastery housing a number of monks, we were lucky enough to see them doing their washing and at prayer.
The whole place has a mystical air and a calm and peaceful atmosphere, it is the antithesis to the puffing, panting mass tourism of Tiger's Nest and delivers an authentic view of monastic life.
There is renovation taking place but our guide was able to get some of the internal rooms opened for us to see.
This place was one of the highlights of my 2 weeks in Bhutan.
Written November 20, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Punnarai v
Chiang Mai, Thailand149 contributions
Aug 2016 • Business
Tango universary is located on high mountain by walking, have to use powerful. Many trees are on the way. we walk so hard and take time for this activity, but we see many monks can walk up easily.
Written September 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hi,
I understand that the Tango and Cheri monasteries are under renovation and hence not open to tourists. is this true? Bu when is it expected to open..thanks
Written March 15, 2017
We were in Bhutan from 18-24 Dec 16. We were told by our guide, Tango Monastery is under renovation and did not visit. May I ask, is Tango Monastery really under renovation? Because we met other tourists and they had visited. Appreciate if you could enlighten me? Thank you very much
Written December 29, 2016
We were there in October and it was open. There were renovations underway with some areas closed, but we were still able to visit most of the Monastery. That may have become more restrictive in December.
Written December 29, 2016
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