Tashilunpo Monastery was first built in 1447 by Gedun Truppa, a disciple of Tsongkhapa. Gedun Truppa was subsequently honored as the first Dalai Lama. The monastery was first known as Kangjainqupi, or the Rise of Buddhism in the City of Snow. Its name was eventually changed to Tashilunpo, which means lukcy sumeru.

The main building of Tashilunpo Monastery cover an area of 18 hectares and include the Tsochen Hall, Jianalakang, Panchen Lachang, Qiangba Hall and Terrace for Sunning the Buddha, as well as the Hall of Goddess Dumu and Guardian Hall. In addition there are also four dratsangs, Tosangling, Xigaze, Jikang, and Aba. The Tashilunpo can accommodate 3,800 monks in all, and the Tsochen Hall alone can house 2,000.

There are many valuable and rare historical articles in the monastery, among them are found a lot of gold and jade signets, and imperial certificates bestowed by Emperors of the Min and Ding Dynasties as well as a seal of "Daitu" of the Yuan Dynasty scribed in the new Mongolian language reformed by Basba. They are of great value for the study of history.

Tashilhunpo Monastery has long been Panchen Lama's seat. It's Shigatse's foremost attraction. This gorgeous monastery can be detected miles away with its gold tops reflecting the sunshine. Tashilhunpo holds the giant Future Buddha statue- biggest Buddha statue in the world. The statue is 26.2m high, 11.5m shoulder width, with numerous jewelry inlaid in the body, unbelievably imposing.