Hidden deep in Zayü County, eastern Tibet, Lhowoe Lhakhang (formerly known as Luweizhala) marks the southern spiritual boundary of Mount Kawagarbo, the revered main peak of the Meili Snow Mountains. Perched high along an ancient pilgrimage route, this sacred site is known for its sweeping panoramic views and profound connection to Tibetan beliefs about life, death, and the spirit world.
In Tibetan, “Lho” means south, while “Woe” signifies brightness or radiance. Together, the name reflects both the geographical position and the spiritual clarity associated with this holy place.
A Sacred Viewpoint Over the Meili Snow Mountains
Lhowoe Lhakhang is revered as one of the most powerful vantage points around Mount Kawagarbo. From its summit, pilgrims can clearly observe sacred sites in all directions:
- To the north, the majestic and snow-clad Khawa Karbo (Mount Kawagarbo) rises in solemn grandeur.
- To the south, ancient scriptures describe the vision of a great stupa said to be eighty thousand leagues high, symbolizing boundless merit and enlightenment.
According to traditional belief, paying homage to this southern stupa is as meritorious as visiting Samye Monastery, Tibet’s first Buddhist monastery.
Prayer Flags and the Final Farewell of Souls
The summit of Lhowoe Lhakhang is draped in countless prayer flags, dancing endlessly in the mountain wind.
- Colorful prayer flags are hung to pray for blessings, protection, and good fortune.
- White prayer flags, however, carry a deeper meaning. They are raised in memory of the deceased, symbolizing peace, release, and final rest.
Local belief holds that Lhowoe Lhakhang is the last place where pilgrims part from the spirits of their loved ones. Beyond this point, white flags become rare, signifying the moment when souls are entrusted fully to the sacred land and mountain deities.
Offerings to the Mountain Gods and the Departed
Near Lhowoe Lhakhang stands a large ancient oak tree, along with surrounding trees, covered in clothing, ornaments, and personal belongings. These items are not discarded casually—they are sacred offerings.
Pilgrims believe that offering one’s clothing or possessions to the mountain gods is the highest form of devotion. In particular:
- Clothing of the deceased is brought here as a symbolic representation of the spirit
- These offerings provide a place of rest for wandering souls
- The act helps appease mountain deities and ensures spiritual peace for the departed
This practice reflects the deep Tibetan belief in the interconnection between nature, spirits, and human destiny.
The Barley Cake Offering Ritual: Compassion for Hungry Ghosts
One of the most distinctive religious traditions at Lhowoe Lhakhang is the offering of barley cakes.
Pilgrims carry barley cakes on behalf of deceased relatives, believing that:
- Souls unable to complete pilgrimage rituals may remain trapped in suffering realms
- Barley cakes are offerings specifically meant for beings in the hungry ghost realm
- These offerings provide nourishment and relief to tormented spirits
Those who cannot accompany their loved ones in pilgrimage are believed to risk leaving them unliberated, making this ritual an act of profound compassion and responsibility.
Pilgrimage Experience and Spiritual Atmosphere
A journey to Lhowoe Lhakhang is not merely physical—it is deeply emotional and spiritual. The site represents:
- A threshold between the living and the spirit world
- A place for final prayers, remembrance, and release
- One of the most sacred stopping points on the Mount Kawagarbo pilgrimage circuit
Silence, wind, prayer flags, and distant snow peaks combine to create an atmosphere that pilgrims often describe as overwhelming yet peaceful.
Visitor Tips for Lhowoe Lhakhang
Access and Route Conditions
- No road access is available
- Visitors must reach the site by hiking or horseback riding
- The terrain is steep and physically demanding, suitable only for prepared travelers
Safety Considerations
- The southern side features steep cliffs
- Descending via the southwestern path takes about 30 minutes and leads to the valley below, reaching Qu’nantong
- Weather can change rapidly; proper gear is essential
Spiritual Significance in Tibetan Pilgrimage Culture
Lhowoe Lhakhang stands as a powerful symbol of transition, devotion, and remembrance within Tibetan Buddhism and local belief systems. It embodies the Tibetan understanding of death not as an end, but as a journey requiring guidance, merit, and compassion—both from the living and the sacred landscape itself.
Set against the awe-inspiring backdrop of the Meili Snow Mountains, this holy site continues to draw pilgrims seeking blessings, closure, and spiritual connection in one of Tibet’s most remote and sacred regions.