In Dagze County 60 kilometers to the east of Lhasa, it is one of the three great monasteries in Lhasa and one of the six great monasteries of the Gelug Sect. Gandain means happiness and contentedness in Tibetan.

The Gandain Monastery was built in early 15th century under the supervision of Zonggaba, the founder of the Gelug Sect. The main buildings include the Coqen Hall, the Chamber of Zonggaba and the College of Yangbajian.

(You can take a mini-bus in the square in front of the Jokhang Monastery. The bus leaves for the Gandain Monastery at 6:30 and back at 14:00. It costs 35 Yuan for going and back and takes two hours one way. The monastery provides simple lodge for 12 Yuan each. The admission is 15 Yuan. Open hours: 9:00-16:00)