Founded by Rinchen Zangpo in the 10th century, Thöling Monastery was once Ngari’s most important monastic complex. It was still functioning in 1966 when the Red Guards shut down operations and took a sledgehammer to the chapel’s magnificent interiors. Three main buildings survive within the monastery walls. If you have little interest in Buddhist statues and murals, stick to the chörtens, mani walls and open views across the Sutlej Valley just north of the monastery.
