Ta'er Monastery (Kumbum Monastery), is located in the small county of Huang Zhong, Xining city, capital of the northwestern province of Qinghai. As one of the two most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet, it is a repository of Tibetan culture and art, including various sculptures, statues and religious artifacts. [photo taken by Liu Qiang / China.org.cn]

A pious believer of Tibetan Buddhism lies down on his stomach to pray. Ta'er Monastery is a site of pilgrimage for many devotees of Tibetan Buddhism and a popular tourist destination. [photo taken by Liu Qiang / China.org.cn]

Pious believers of Tibetan Buddhism kneel down to pray. Ta'er Monastery holds an especially significant position because the monastery complex sits on the site of birthplace of Tsongkhapa (1357-1419), the founder of the Tibetan Gelug School. Now it is a site of pilgrimage for many devotees of Tibetan Buddhism and a popular tourist destination. [photo taken by Liu Qiang / China.org.cn]

An old monk spins prayer wheels at Ta'er Monastery. According to the Tibetan Buddhist tradition, spinning such a wheel will have much the same meritorious effect as orally reciting the prayers. [photo taken by Liu Qiang / China.org.cn]

The Library of Ta'er Monastery. As one of the two most important Tibetan Buddhist monasteries outside Tibet, it is a repository of Tibetan culture and art, including various sculptures, statues and religious artifacts. [photo taken by Liu Qiang / China.org.cn]