Being 160 kilometers west of Xigaze, the Sakya Monastery is composed of Southern and Northern Monasteries. The Northern Monastery was built in 1079 and was damaged now while the Southern Monastery in 1268.

The Southern Monastery houses great amounts of cultural relics including, the titles, seals, crowns, garments and ornaments awarded by the Yuan imperial court to the local officials, the statues of Buddha, ritual instruments and porcelains from the Song, Yuan and other later dynasties, and the precious murals of historical themes. Also the monastery preserves great numbers of books such as the "Bakgyur,"

Bstanggyur," Pattra-leaf scripture and other Tibetan classics on astronomy, geography, history, medicines and literature. (It can be reached by taking the bus at the Xigaze Bus Station to Sakya. The bus leaves at 7:00-8:00 and takes jive hours for 27 yuan. The admission to the monastery is 30 yuan. Open hours: 9:00-12:00 and 15:00-16:00.)