Labrang Monastery, 'World Tibetan Academy'

Labrang Monastery is located in the western suburbs of Xiahe County, Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. It has always been the center of religious culture in the Amdo Tibetan area. The monastery is backed by Fengling, and the green mountain opposite Fengling is called Longshan. Because the mountain is covered with pine trees, it is also called Dalinkeshan. Standing on Longshan and looking across, Fengling looks like a golden phoenix spreading its wings, ready to fly towards Longshan, while Longshan looks like a coiled dragon ready to leap towards Fengling. The two mountains echo each other from a distance. Between Longshan and Fengling, the Daxia River flows slowly at their feet, forming a semicircular flat beach that resembles a right-spiral conch. The local Tibetan compatriots call this flat beach 'Zaxi', meaning 'Auspicious Place', while the Han people call it the 'Golden Basin for Fish Farming' where dragons and phoenixes bring prosperity.