Yungbulakang Palace, the legend of Xizang's first palace

Published : 2025-12-05

Editor︰Annie Chan

The mystical allure of Tibetan culture has long captivated many. In Xizang, there is a place revered as the "ancestral home of the Tibetan people and the cradle of Tibetan culture"—Shannan.

Here stands Xizang’s first palace, the Yongbulakang Palace, which predates the renowned Potala Palace by several centuries. Who constructed this palace, and what legendary tales are woven into its history?

What does Yungbulakang mean?

Yungbulakang Palace (雍布拉康) is located on Tashi Tsere Hill in Shannan City, Xizang. It was first built in the 2nd century BC, over 800 years before the famous Potala Palace.

Panoramic view of Yungbulakang Palace 1 — Yungbulakang Palace is situated on a high mountain at an altitude of about 3,800 metres and is the first of the “Three Holy Monasteries” of Shannan. It is regarded as one of the birthplaces of Tibetan civilisation. (Image Source: Getty)

The mountain where it is located, Chakpori, resembles a doe in shape, and the palace derives its name from this feature.

In the Tibetan language, "Yumbu" means "doe," and "lagang" means "shrine." It is also said that Yongbulakang carries the meaning of the "Palace of Mother and Son."

Side view of Yungbulakang Palace — Yungbulakang Palace includes buildings such as a keep and halls. The keep, which is about 11 metres high, is believed to be one of the earliest buildings. It has a five-storey exterior but is actually three storeys inside. During the time of the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century, a golden rooftop was added to the top. (Image Source: Getty)

This palace was built by the first Tibetan king, the first chieftain of the 'Tubo' tribe, Nyatri Tsenpo, and was originally the royal palace for successive Tubo chieftains.

It holds a sublime status in the hearts of Tibetans and is regarded as one of the birthplaces of Tibetan civilisation.

Murals in Yungbulakang Palace — The murals inside Yungbulakang Palace depict historical stories of Xizang. (Image Source: VCG)

From a royal palace to a monastery

After Nyatri Tsenpo became king, he taught the people to cultivate the land, so the tribe grew stronger and stronger. It is said that Xizang's first piece of farmland is still preserved near Yungbulakang Palace.

Farmland near Yungbulakang Palace — A large area of farmland is preserved near Yungbulakang Palace. It is said that the highland barley brought by Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty during her marriage to the Tibetan king was planted here. (Image Source: Shutterstock)

Around the 7th century AD, the 33rd chieftain of Tubo, Songtsen Gampo, unified the Tibetan Plateau, established the Tubo Kingdom, and moved the capital to Lhasa.

Yungbulakang Palace became the summer palace of Songtsen Gampo and Princess Wencheng in Shannan and was later converted into a monastery.

Night view of Yungbulakang Palace — Under the night sky, Yungbulakang Palace appears particularly mysterious and solemn. It is also one of the stargazing spots in Xizang. (Image Source: Getty)

In 1962, Yungbulakang Palace was designated as a cultural relic protection unit at the autonomous region level in Xizang.

However, during a turbulent period in history, the palace was once destroyed, leaving only ruins and broken walls.

Lamb at Yungbulakang Palace — A lovely lamb at the foot of Yungbulakang Palace. (Image Source: Xizang Shannan Tourism@Weibo)

Starting in the 1980s, the local authorities carried out comprehensive protection and restoration of the palace, following the principle of restoring it to its former state, bringing back its past magnificence.