Seda: China’s monastery of a thousand roofs
By Agencies, Published: 2015-09-15 13:12:33
Wuming Monastery was founded by only about 30 Buddhists in 1980 with the help of local government. Now up to 40,000 monks and nuns reside here.Photos: CFP
Editor's Note:
Situated around 4 kilometers above sea level, these log cabins serve as the dormitories of thousands of Buddhist monks and nuns. This is the Wuming Monastery (also known as Seda Monastery) of the Larong Temple, in Seda County of Sichuan Province, Southwest of China, which is the largest Tibetan Buddhist academy in the world. The landscape here is shockingly beautiful and unique. Photos: CFP

Two Buddhist monks converse on a hillside covered by thousands of red-roofed houses.
Buddhists here enjoy both modern and traditional religious life.
The thousands of red houses are all made of wood.
The thousands of red houses are all made of wood.
The Wuming Monastery
The Wuming Monastery glows in the morning sun.
The Wuming Monastery
On the highest hill of the Monastery, Tan Castle, an example of Chinese-influenced temple architecture, is one of the main religious centers in the area.
Buddhists prostrate during daily prayer outside Tan Castle.
Stupas adorn the outside of a temple.
An eagle circles above rows and rows of houses.
Wuming Monastery lights up when night falls.