Zang Dhok Palri Phodang (Durpin Monastery)

Guarding the town from the opposite ridge, Durpin Dara (1,372m), this monastery is a modern marvel of Tibetan Buddhism. Consecrated by the Dalai Lama in 1976, it’s a peaceful, vibrant complex. The main prayer hall is a riot of colour, with intricate murals and towering statues. More importantly, it houses rare, sacred Kangyur texts that were spirited out of Tibet after the Chinese invasion. The views of the mountains and the plains from its terrace are spectacular.