Ghum Monastery

Built in 1850 by Mongolian monk and astrologer Sokpo Sherab Gyatso, the Ghum Monastery (also called the Yiga Choeling Monastery) is one of the oldest Tibetan Buddhist monasteries in the region. Located in the town of Ghum 5 miles (8 kilometers) outside Darjeeling, the monastery sits at an elevation of 8,000 feet (2,438 meters) and belongs to the Yellow Hat, or Gelukpa, sect.
Within the monastery sits its most notable feature, a 15-foot (5-meter) statue of the Maitreya Buddha, which means the Buddha of the future, made entirely from clay imported from Tibet. On a clear day, the views of the surrounding peaks, including the Kanchenjunga, are spectacular.

Practical Info

A newer monastery in Ghum is also sometimes called the Ghum Monastery, so be sure to specify if you catch a taxi from Darjeeling.