"A 14th-century estate in the Tang Valley where Longchenpa meditated and Dorje Lingpa's descendants still live, now Bhutan's first private museum"
Ugyen Cholling Monastery
Baylamsharang, Samdrup Jongkhar District, Bhutan
In the upper Tang Valley of Bumthang, Ogyen Choling sits on a hill shaped like an elephant's head, where the great Nyingma master Longchenpa meditated in a cave in the 14th century and the treasure revealer Dorje Lingpa established his residence. The family that maintains the estate descends from Dorje Lingpa through more than fifteen generations. In 2001, they converted the central tower into Bhutan's first private museum. Visitors can stay in the heritage house and walk to the meditation cave above.
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Quick Facts
Location
Baylamsharang, Samdrup Jongkhar District, Bhutan
Coordinates
26.8893, 91.6889
Last Updated
Mar 9, 2026
Learn More
Associated with Longchenpa and Dorje Lingpa in the 14th century. The current manor dates to 1898. Converted to Bhutan's first private museum in 2001.
Origin Story
Longchen Rabjam (1308-1363) came to meditate in a cave on the elephant-shaped hill. Dorje Lingpa (1346-1405), a great treasure revealer, subsequently made the site one of his primary residences. His descendants have maintained the estate ever since, through earthquakes, political change, and the transformation of Bhutanese society.
Key Figures
Longchen Rabjam (Longchenpa)
Meditated in the cave in the 14th century; systematizer of Dzogchen, the highest Nyingma teaching
Dorje Lingpa
Treasure revealer (terton) who made Ogyen Choling one of his primary residences
Tshokye Dorje
15th blood-descendant of Dorje Lingpa, Trongsa Penlop, who rebuilt the manor in 1898
Spiritual Lineage
Nyingma tradition through Longchenpa and Dorje Lingpa. The family's unbroken descent from Dorje Lingpa through more than fifteen generations constitutes a living lineage maintained by blood rather than institutional succession.
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