Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Yarchen Gar, officially known as Yaqing Orgyan, is a Buddhist monastery predominantly inhabited by nuns. Living in humble conditions, these devoted practitioners embrace a life of faith and sacrament.
Founded in 1985 by Lama Rinpoche, Yarchen Gar is situated in Baiyu County within the Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, at an altitude of 4,000 meters above sea level. Despite its remote and challenging location, it is home to over 10,000 devotees, making it one of the largest congregations of Buddhist monks and nuns in the world.
The followers endure harsh living conditions as a testament to their dedication to Lama Rinpoche’s teachings, which emphasize enlightenment through meditation, hardship, and atonement. A well-trodden footpath encircling a nearby hill serves as a site for “kowtows,” a form of prayer where disciples kneel and touch their foreheads to the ground every two steps in a profound expression of devotion.
Basic facilities reflect the austere lifestyle. Latrines hang precariously over the riverbanks, and downstream, the river water is collected for personal sanitation, laundry, and food preparation. This raises significant public health risks, with typhoid being a real concern.
Modernization, however, is making inroads into Yarchen Gar. Shops operated by monks and nuns are scattered around the perimeter, offering an array of goods. Between meditations and prayer rituals, both young and old browse for new robes, traditional red “sakyas” or yellow “gelugs” hats, shoes, and even electronic gadgets. Many nuns can be seen walking with headphones plugged in and smartphones in hand, signaling how modernity has reached even these sacred grounds.
Approximately 77% of the population in Garze Prefecture identifies as ethnically Tibetan. Within Yarchen Gar itself, the exact number of inhabitants remains unclear, but the majority of its Sangha are of Tibetan heritage. Few are fluent in the standardized Chinese language, Putonghua, highlighting the cultural and linguistic distinctiveness of the community.
The monastery has also seen growth in numbers due to evictions from Larung Gar, a larger monastery to the north. Despite past tensions with the government, the influx of pilgrims to Yarchen Gar has not diminished.
In 2018, restrictions eased, allowing foreigners to visit with relatively relaxed police presence. However, identification checks for both Chinese nationals and foreign visitors are still mandatory upon arrival.
What remains to be seen is how the relationship between the government and the worshippers at Yarchen Gar will evolve in the coming years. With an increasing number of monks and nuns from Larung Gar migrating to this holy site, the monastery’s future—and its interaction with modernity and state authority—will undoubtedly be intriguing to observe.
A rest from the work and prayer a group of nuns joke together. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
After afternoon prayer many of the nuns go to eat or buy snacks and have an hours rest before their chores start in the afternoon. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
For 100 days in the winter the nuns will inhabit these small shacks for meditation and to show their resolve in their faith. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns walk to morning prayer at the main temple. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Waiting to get a look at the visiting Lama, His Holiness Lama Nam Khay Nying Bo, the nuns wait with eagerness grasping their prayer beads and Tripitakas. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Small symbols of seniority adorn the robes of senior monks showing their wealth. Even in the buddhist monastery wealth and power are salient. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Every morning the nuns collect water from the pipe that constantly flows from the river. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
The conditions at Yarchen Gar are very basic with no running water or toilets. Huge investment has been made to modernise the monastery. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns prepare to haul bags of firewood across the monastery. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns often "Kowtow" to absolve their sins. They raise their arms three times in prayer, take two steps and then touch their forehead to the ground. The route these young nuns are taking covers almost a mile. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Young nuns "Kowtow" to as atonement for their sins. They raise their arms three times in prayer, take two steps and then touch their forehead to the ground. The route these young nuns are taking covers almost a mile. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns often "Kowtow" to absolve their sins. They raise their arms three times in prayer, take two steps and then touch their forehead to the ground. The route these young nuns are taking covers almost a mile. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
A nun carefully attaches ghee leaves to the ornamental decoration that will result in the completed Ghee Flower. Ghee is made from clarified butter and painstakingly crafted into ornaments. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Taking a break from making Ghee flowers. Ghee is made from clarified butter and painstakingly crafted into ornaments. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
As a gift from the visiting Lama the nuns are given a truckload of fresh vegetables. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Food is prepared for a visiting VIP, His Holiness Lama Nam Khay Nying Bo. Senior nuns are in charge of the cookhouse. Many have been at the monastery for over 20 years. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Senior nuns are in charge of the cookhouse. Many have been at the monastery for over 20 years. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Senior nuns are in charge of the cookhouse. Many have been at the monastery for over 20 years. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Yarchen Gar is almost completely self sufficient with the nuns and monks sharing the work load. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Repairs are done by the nuns of the monastery. Yarchen Gar is almost completely self sufficient with the nuns and monks sharing the workload. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Yarchen Gar is almost completely self sufficient with the nuns and monks sharing the workload. The monks often take care of the heavy construction tasks however. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
In the evenings the nuns can be seen in the many small shops that surround Yarchen Gar. The stores are mostly run by the monks and nuns themselves. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
In the evenings the nuns can be seen in the many small shops that surround Yarchen Gar. The stores are mostly run by the monks and nuns themselves. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
At the main temple the nuns clean constantly with the flow of believers going in and out it's a constant challenge to keep immaculate. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
On a hot summer's day two nuns use small spoons to fish out insect larvae from a drying puddle. They will be working on this task for as long as it takes to save as many as they can before the puddle dries. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
On their way to the monastery the nuns carry their Tripitaka and Mani wheel. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
The conditions at Yarchen Gar are very basic with no running water or toilets. Huge investment has been made to modernise the monastery however for the time being the toilet facilities are very basic. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
In the surrounding hills nuns go to meditate and escape the hectic living quarters they are housed in. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns practice the "Zang Dung". They will gather to practice every evening after prayers. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Living in Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is basic with each nuns having only on average three metres square to themselves and with no running water. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Almost all the nuns have access to smartphones and enjoy playing games or watching speeches by religious leaders. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
An elder monk shows off his jewellery. A collection of items that hold value to him. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
It's not uncommon to see monks and nuns with physical afflictions in Yarchen Gar. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Nuns collect water for cooking in the early evening.Stream water is almost drinkable in the mountains. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Young nuns joke over their lunch while listening to Buddhist chants on their radio. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Small snack shacks are speckled around Yarchen Gar for the nuns to buy between prayers. This shack offers a spicy potato chip. A traditional food in the south west of China. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.
Early morning the nuns and monks practice walking meditation. A route that is roughly a mile long around Yarchen Gar and the surrounding hills. Yarchen Gar (Yaqing) is a monastery mostly made up of nuns. The exact number isn't known but it's said to house over 10,000 nuns at anytime.