Drak Yerpa Hermitage

Drak Yerpa Hermitage

Drak Yerpa Hermitage lies about 32 kilometers northeast of Lhasa, perched on the mountainside at an elevation of 4,885 meters. Renowned as one of the holiest cave hermitage sites in Tibet, it dates back to the mid-7th century. The 33rd Tibetan Emperor, Songtsan Gampo, is said to have built Drak Yerpa for his queen.

Historically, there were once 108 meditation caves at the site, though only a few remain today. Among them, the cave of Songtsan Gampo holds special significance. Over time, individual temples were built around the cave, and with various expansions, they gradually formed the larger temple complex known today.

Drak Yerpa is a place of deep peace, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding valley and peaks. Walking up to King Songtsan Gampo’s cave, which was later blessed by Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche) in the late 8th to early 9th century, is a truly inspirational experience—one that connects visitors with Tibet’s spiritual legacy.