Monasteries and Retreat Centers
If you are staying at Atisha Hotel in Boudhanath, you are already in one of the most spiritual places in Nepal. Just step outside, and you will hear the sound of prayer wheels turning, monks chanting, and people walking peacefully around the great stupa.
Boudhanath is not only a UNESCO World Heritage Site—it is the heart of Tibetan Buddhism in Nepal. Around the stupa, there are many monasteries, nunneries, and retreat centers. Each one has its own story, its own traditions, and its own beauty.
This blog will guide you through some of the most important monasteries near Atisha Hotel. You will also find tips on visiting retreat centers, joining prayers, and experiencing the spiritual life of Boudha in a meaningful and straightforward way.
Why are monasteries around Boudha special?
The giant white stupa of Boudhanath is one of the largest in the world. For centuries, it has been a resting place for travelers, monks, and pilgrims. Today, it is still alive with prayer and devotion.
Today, the area is home to more than 50 monasteries, representing all the major schools of Tibetan Buddhism — Nyingma, Kagyu, Sakya, and Gelug. There are also nunneries and even a Bon monastery, showing the diversity of Himalayan spiritual life.
Every morning and evening, people walk around the stupa in a clockwise direction. This is called the kora or circumambulation. They spin prayer wheels, chant mantras, or silently walk with a calm mind. Joining the kora is one of the simplest ways to feel part of the local spiritual life.
And the best part? From Atisha Hotel, the stupa and surrounding monasteries are only a few steps away.
Major Monasteries Around Boudha
Shechen Monastery – Beauty in Every Detail
Shechen Monastery is just a short walk from the stupa. It was founded by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche, a great Tibetan master, in 1985. Today, it is one of the most beautiful and active monasteries in Boudha.
The walls are covered with colorful paintings that tell stories from Buddhist teachings. Inside the main hall, golden statues shine while monks chant their prayers every morning. Visitors are welcome to sit quietly and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere.
Shechen is also a place where Tibetan culture is kept alive. There are schools here for traditional arts like thangka painting, music, and dance. Many travelers enjoy visiting the small café in its courtyard, where monks and visitors sit together over tea and snacks.
Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling – The White Monastery
Close to the stupa, you will find Ka-Nying Shedrub Ling, also called the “White Monastery” because of its bright white walls. It was built in the 1970s by Tulku Urgyen Rinpoche. The combination Ka-Nying in the name refers to its affiliation with both the Kagyu and Nyingma schools. The meaning of Shedrub Ling is “a haven for practice and learning.”
When you enter, you will hear the sound of deep chanting, drums, and horns during pujas (ritual prayers). Sitting quietly during these ceremonies can be a moving experience.
This monastery is also home to the Rangjung Yeshe Institute, a center where people from around the world come to study Buddhism in both English and Tibetan. For visitors, this makes Ka-Nying feel like a bridge between tradition and modern life.
Kopan Monastery – A Hilltop Retreat
If you want to spend time in a calm and green environment, Kopan Monastery is perfect. It is located on a hill just a short drive or walk from Boudha. From the top, you get beautiful views of Kathmandu Valley.
Kopan is famous for its meditation courses. Many international visitors come here every year to learn about Buddhism and join retreats. Even if you are not joining a course, you can visit the monastery, walk around the gardens, and sit in silence.
Many travelers mention that their first real experience with meditation, or even a more profound sense of inner calm, began at Kopan. It’s not a place reserved only for monks—it opens its doors to anyone who wishes to explore spirituality or spend time in reflection.
Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery – A Quiet Gem
Another beautiful spot to visit is Thrangu Tashi Yangtse Monastery, also known as Namo Buddha Monastery. While it may not have the size or fame of Shechen or Kopan, it carries its own special charm. Rooted in the Kagyu tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, the monastery radiates devotion and tranquility. Visitors often come here to attend teachings, take part in ceremonies, or enjoy the stillness of the surroundings.
This monastery feels more intimate, and spending time here gives you a closer look at daily monastic life.
Pullahari Monastery – A Place of Silence and Gardens
Not far from Kopan is Pullahari Monastery, a Kagyu monastery that feels like a hidden paradise. It has beautiful gardens, quiet courtyards, and a large prayer hall filled with golden statues.
Pullahari is less crowded than Kopan, making it a great place to sit in silence. The monastery often hosts retreats and Dharma teachings, but even a short visit can bring peace and clarity.
Triten Norbutse Monastery – The Bon Tradition
Not far from Boudha, on the slopes near Swayambhu, you will find Triten Norbutse Monastery. This monastery is special because it belongs to the Bon tradition, which is the ancient spiritual practice of Tibet before Buddhism.
Visiting Triten Norbutse gives you a chance to see a different side of Tibetan culture. The teachings and rituals are unique, yet they share the same focus on compassion and wisdom.
Hidden and Lesser-Known Monasteries
Besides the famous ones, there are many smaller monasteries and gompas around the stupa. These are often less visited by tourists but equally rich in devotion.
- Dilyak Monastery – a Nyingma monastery with peaceful courtyards.
- Samtenling Monastery – known for its rituals and Tibetan studies.
- Palyul Monastery – follows the Palyul lineage of the Nyingma school.
- Jamyang Choling Monastery – a respected center for study and practice.
- Sechen Orgyen Chokhorling – connected with Shechen, but smaller and very welcoming.
- Small Gompas around the Kora – as you walk the stupa, you will notice many small gompas tucked inside buildings and courtyards. Monks chant here daily, and locals stop by to light lamps or make offerings.
These places remind visitors that Boudha is not just about big monasteries but also about hidden gems that keep the spiritual life of the community alive.
Walking the Kora – A Simple Spiritual Journey Practice
One of the most potent experiences in Boudha is also the simplest: walking the kora around the stupa.
In the morning, the air is cool and filled with the smell of incense. Old Tibetans with prayer beads, monks in maroon robes, and visitors from around the world all walk together. In the evening, butter lamps are lit, and the stupa glows warmly against the night sky.
Strolling, turning the prayer wheels, and breathing deeply can feel like meditation in itself. For many, this becomes a daily practice while staying in Boudha.
Practical Tips for Visiting Monasteries Around Boudha
- Dress modestly and always remove shoes before entering prayer halls, and remain quiet during ceremonies.
- In most places, you are restricted from taking photos, so always ask for permission before capturing.
- Visitors are usually welcome during prayers, but should sit quietly and avoid disrupting the practice.
- Most monasteries accept donations, which support the monks’ education and upkeep of the monastery.
- Early mornings and evenings are particularly atmospheric times to visit.
Retreat Centers
There are retreat centers around Boudhanath along with the monasteries. While the significant monasteries themselves often have retreat facilities, there are also dedicated centers where people stay for meditation, study, or short/long retreats.
Kopan Monastery Retreat Center
Kopan Monastery is one of the most popular retreat destinations for foreigners who want to learn and practice Tibetan Buddhism. The monastery offers structured meditation courses, including the famous ten-day introductory retreat, as well as longer programs for serious practitioners. Set on a peaceful hilltop overlooking the Kathmandu Valley, Kopan provides a quiet environment where visitors can combine spiritual learning with daily meditation.
Pullahari Retreat Center
Pullahari Retreat Center, belonging to the Karma Kagyu tradition, is another beautiful space for meditation and reflection. Perched on a hill with stunning views of the valley, the center hosts international students and practitioners who come for longer retreats, teachings, and mindfulness programs. It is known for its serene atmosphere, where visitors can focus on spiritual growth in a calm and supportive setting.
Nagi Gompa (Shivapuri area, near Boudha)
Nagi Gompa is a nunnery retreat center located in the Shivapuri forest, a little further from Boudhanath but highly respected for its spiritual significance. Surrounded by trees and natural silence, it is well known for its silent meditation retreats and the dedicated training of nuns. The peaceful forest environment makes it an ideal place for those seeking solitude and deeper practice away from the city.
Nunnery Retreat Houses (Khachoe Ghakyil Ling, Kopan Nunnery)
For women practitioners, retreat opportunities are also available at Khachoe Ghakyil Ling Nunnery and Kopan Nunnery. These nunneries offer short meditation stays and programs in a simple, supportive, and peaceful environment. They provide a chance to learn from the nuns, experience monastic life, and spend time in quiet reflection surrounded by a caring community.
Smaller Local Retreat Houses
In addition to the larger centers, there are smaller retreat houses scattered around the kora path of the Boudhanath Stupa. Many of these are used by monks and nuns for private practice, but some also welcome lay visitors who want to spend time in prayer and meditation. These smaller spaces may not be as well-known as the bigger centers, but they offer intimate and authentic experiences of Buddhist retreat life.
Final Thoughts
Visiting monasteries around Boudha is more than sightseeing—it is about connecting with a way of life built on peace, compassion, and mindfulness.
From the grand halls of Shechen and Ka-Nying to the quiet gardens of Kopan, from the smaller retreat centers to the simple act of walking the kora, each moment brings you closer to something more profound.
For guests at Atisha Hotel, this spiritual journey begins right outside the door. Step out, stroll, and let the monasteries and retreat centers of Boudha guide you inward.
