Taken from url: http://places.kmaps.virginia.edu/descriptions/77.xml

Taken from url: http://places.kmaps.virginia.edu/descriptions/14.xml

Lying at the foot of Géphel (dge ’phel) Mountain, the highest point in the lha saValley, Drepung offers an impressive sight with its hundreds of large buildings nestled in an impressive mountainous surrounding. It is one of the most important religious institutions in Tibet and hence its study offers a great avenue to penetrate Tibetan civilization, its religion, politics, economy, and culture. For in Drepung, all these aspects of traditional Tibetan life, which are often thought to exist apart, come together.