Tashilhunpo Monastery, founded in the 1500s, is located in Shigatse City, the second-largest city in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. It is one of the most important monasteries in Tibetan Buddhism and is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama. The monastery covers 150,000 square meters, with 57 scripture halls and 3,600 rooms. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Tashilhunpo Monastery. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Tibetan Buddhist monks play with water at Tashilhunpo Monastery. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Tashilhunpo Monastery. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Tashilhunpo Monastery. [Photo/China.org.cn]

A monk uses his mobile phone at Tashilhunpo Monastery. Many monks, especially young ones, have mobile phones, according to a monk in the monastery. [Photo/China.org.cn]

Linpu Monastery is located in Gyantse County of Shigatse City, the second-largest city in the Tibet Autonomous Region, China. There are 17 monks in the monastery, which mainly serves the local people. [Photo/China.org.cn]

The courtyard of Linpu Monastery. [Photo/China.org.cn]