Kumbum Stupa is one of the most distinctive temples in the world. It is an unusual architectural masterpiece with its nine levels rise in the manner of a step pyramid. Its construction started in 1418 and it was completed in 1427. It is designed in classic stupa or pagoda style. This amazing structure is 35 metres in height, octagonal in shape, has a 9 storey terraced exterior, 108 chapels, and superb murals (wall paintings). It raises over four symmetrical floors plus two upper floors and is capped with a gold dome. The four floors contain 108 chapels which the pilgrims visit from bottom to top in a clockwise fashion.

This visit ends in a group of four chapels at the top of the temple. These chapels are dedicated to various Buddhist deities. The word Kumbum literally means 10,000 images and according to its name Kumbum stupa contains 10,000 murals some of which are dates back to 15 century and still in tact. These murals form a 3D hierarchy covering the entire spiritual path including all the tantras. These images include Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, Vajras, Dharma Kings, Arhats, Disciples, great adepts of different orders in Tibetan Buddhist history, and outstanding figures in Tibetan history such as Songtsen Gampo and Trisong Detsen. It was an important centre of the Sakya school of Tibetan Buddhism and still considered as one of the most outstanding and sacred places of Tibet.

The Palkhor Monastery also called Palcho Monastery it is quite different from other monasteries of Tibet. Structured as a typical Tibetan Buddhism monastery it was built in 1418 and has remarkably remained intact and unscathed to this day. It lies about 230 kilometers south of Lhasa and 100 kms east of Shigatse at the foot of Dzong Hill. The most remarkable feature of this monastery is that it is the only monastery that  houses monks from different orders. The monks from the Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa orders stay in this monastery with noticeable harmony. Although they once quarreled and fought, the different orders eventually discovered a way to get along with each other. As a result, its oblation, architecture style, deities enshrined and murals are very special. 
The Main Assembly Hall of Palkhor Monastery, Tshomchen, was built between the end of the 14th century and the beginning of the 15th century. It is a three-storey structure. The ground floor has a chanting hall with 48 columns that are ornamented with old silk "thangkas". It also houses an eight- meter high bronze statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is

gilded and made from 1.4 tons of bronze. On the second floor of monastery there are chapels belonging to “Bodhisattva Manjushri" and "Arhats" from the Ming dynasty. Among these the Arahat chapel is quiet popular throughout Tibet. The roof of monastery also holds chapels which preserve a collection of 15 "mandala" murals. These are three meters (ten feet) in diameter. There are also some other attractive features in monastery like the collection of  about 100 robes and costumes worn in Tibetan opera. These costumes were made of silk, embroidery and tapestry and belong to the era of Ming dynasty and the Qing dynasty.