Norbulingka Institute
Norbulingka Institute
4.5
Art GalleriesSpeciality MuseumsLessons & WorkshopsReligious SitesGardens
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Monday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Tuesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Wednesday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Thursday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Friday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Saturday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
Sunday
9:00 AM - 5:30 PM
About
Norbulingka Institute believes in the preservation and continuation of Tibetan art through self-sustaining means. Under the guidance of talented masters, we endow artists and craftspeople with ancestral knowledge, providing jobs to a community of over 300 Tibetans. We invite visitors to come and explore our beautiful campus and witness firsthand the splendor of Tibetan art.
Duration: 2-3 hours
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- Sunil TAhmedabad, India145 contributionsCultural Oasis in DharamshalaNorbulingka Institute in Dharamshala offers a cool ambiance and amazing vibes, providing a unique opportunity to learn and understand Tibetan culture. The presence of a monastery adds a spiritual touch, while the classy shopping centre inside the institute allows for a cultural shopping experience. The cool cafe complements the overall atmosphere, making it a delightful place to spend 2-3 hours exploring the diverse facets of this cultural haven. I found this to be the best place to visit in Dharamshala.Visited November 2023Travelled with familyWritten 26 November 2023
- GVKBengaluru, India316 contributionsBliss among woodsVery quite and scintillating place. A must visit for everyone who visits Dharamshala. This monastery is having a large section to exhibit local art and craft. One can see local artisans in action. Lot of artifacts are on sale. There is a lodging facilty too inside the campus. This monastery is about 1 Km away from city centre. Try to visit in the early hours to experince the nature. There are plenty of eateries around if one intends to have food.Visited January 2024Travelled with familyWritten 5 February 2024
- Rosie HIpswich, United Kingdom131 contributionsWorth stopping to seeInteresting perspective on Tibetan culture, arts and crafts. You can see some very skilled artisans at work and book whole or half day courses to have a go in person if you want to. The institute is supported by a shop where much of the handiwork is for sale at very reasonable prices, particularly when you have seen the amount of time and work that has gone into making many of the items.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 11 March 2024
- gary49 contributionsA nice treatWe were staying local and just wandered into the village and stumbled across this place. It doesn’t look much but once in.. wow! Beautiful manicured gardens, ponds etc. There are workshops where apprentices learn their trade, great to watch. The temple itself is gorgeousVisited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 13 March 2024
- Andrew SBerkhamsted, United Kingdom215 contributionsMust-visit destinationThe first place to visit on our list - and we weren’t disappointed. Beautiful grounds, and the handicrafts work on display were incredible - watching the master and the apprentices at work was breathtaking. The temple is another attraction, and there’s a nice cafe (good coffee for those to whom that’s important) - the gift shop is low key, but there are some lovely items to buy.Visited March 2024Travelled with friendsWritten 15 March 2024
- Kapil SoodBengaluru, India413 contributionsMust visit in DharamshalaGlad that we had this on our schedule. Very serene environment, excellent Darshans of Buddha and a place to spend some time. It's very well maintained, clean and organised. Also happy to see that they do not put restrictions on cameras etc. They have 2 nice restaurants inside this place. The handicrafts, paintings and clothes that they sell here are very expensive. There is no specific dress code for visiting this place. This is in Dharamshala on the outskirts on the opposite side as McLeod Ganj. There is paid public parking available near the entrance.Visited March 2024Travelled as a coupleWritten 21 March 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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4.5
1,219 reviews
Excellent
816
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336
Average
52
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10
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5
Monya A
75 contributions
Feb 2020 • Family
Nestled in the foot of the Dhauladhar ranges,a quaint and quiet Tibetan institute of amazing art and culture.Its amazing to see the artisans working on the art of statue making,thangka paintings and applique.The doll museum is a must see.One can purchase the art and craft souveniers from the flagship store.A place so serene with lovely gardens,streams and not to miss the open cafe to satiate your thirst and hunger with excellent coffee,cakes and savouries.
If visiting Dharamshala ,Norbulingka a 30min taxi ride from Mcleod Ganj is a must visit.
If visiting Dharamshala ,Norbulingka a 30min taxi ride from Mcleod Ganj is a must visit.
Written 16 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Explore with Sehajpal
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy91 contributions
Aug 2019 • Family
Norbulingka Institute is amazing place for hardicraft lovers. This institute offers students to learn Tibetan artistic traditions . Paintings, Buddism paintings , handicraft wood , on clothes and many other . There is also a Buddha temple. Well organised with tour guide for whole institute. Beautiful place also for photography. Must go there to have a look on Tibetian Culture.
Written 11 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TMBom
Mumbai, India1,006 contributions
Mar 2023 • Family
Norbulingka institute exceeded our expectations. It was such a fantastic feeling to see all the things the Tibetans are making. It’s now a self sustaining unit. There is a free guided tour. You must take that tour to really understand the place. You may have to wait for 10-15 min but it’s worth it. We had a young man who explained it very well to us. Can’t recollect his name. Maybe Probhu or Thengru. Maybe I’m wrong. But he showed us the entire place with so much interest. The temple part has 11 ft tall Buddha and even a Thanka which is beautiful. There are 1173 small Buddhas painted on the walls and looks fascinating. He explained the different forms of Buddha. You must visit the Doll museum , the carpentry area and the place where Thankas are painted. It was extremely impressive. It took us more than an hour to enjoy this beautiful institute. As a contribution to the institution, we decided to buy from the store. Everything was extremely expensive. We saw an embroidery art which was for Rs 4200:- ( art of yaks) but we decided to buy it. There were 2 copies of the same art. When we tried to buy it we were told by the lady that it’s not in stock so not for sale. We found it very odd as they had an extra piece of the same . Anyways it was their loss and was disappointing to know that the sale didn’t matter much to them
Written 9 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lotusdiamond
Chandigarh, India1,240 contributions
Jan 2023 • Family
One of the best place to visit in Dharamsala. Located not far from the city. Parking and clean washroom available. You need to buy tickets ₹20/- each. You can see working on wood carvings, painting, tailoring, metal art, sculptures making etc. awesome landscaping. You can buy these items at a shop near Temple inside. On the last steps you visit Beautifully maintained Buddhist temple. Must visit place and good for photography. Dolls museum is big attraction. One restaurant and one cafe also available inside, rates reasonable. Norbling house hotel situated inside have 7 rooms, rate approx ₹3000/- plus with all facilities a good option for stay and relax. You need 2-3 hours to appreciate everything inside and must visit for all age groups. This is centre to preserve and promote Tibetan culture and arts .
Written 8 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rosie H
Ipswich, UK131 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Interesting perspective on Tibetan culture, arts and crafts. You can see some very skilled artisans at work and book whole or half day courses to have a go in person if you want to. The institute is supported by a shop where much of the handiwork is for sale at very reasonable prices, particularly when you have seen the amount of time and work that has gone into making many of the items.
Written 11 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Ila I
Mumbai272 contributions
May 2022 • Couples
It’s aesthetically very pleasing to see the garden, landscaping and architecture even as you see the local arts and crafts being taught.
The cafeteria here has a varied menu and everything we ate was excellent.
The butter tea was the best.
It’s worth spending a few hours here and feeling good that being Indians we have done our bit to encourage the Buddhist culture and take care of the Tibetan refugees.
The cafeteria here has a varied menu and everything we ate was excellent.
The butter tea was the best.
It’s worth spending a few hours here and feeling good that being Indians we have done our bit to encourage the Buddhist culture and take care of the Tibetan refugees.
Written 22 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sujata752
New Delhi, Delhi, India172 contributions
July 2021 • Family
Its a great place with a peaceful temple. One can see various craft workshops in progress like wood carving, wood painting, metal sculpture, thanka painting etc. Normally they would take in students for training but not now, due to the pandemic. They have a shop also, though overpriced. I loved the temple here and the vibes. One can sit here quietly and meditate. It also has a cafe, which was quite decent. The place closes for lunch 1-2 pm. Overall, the vibe of this place is very positive and refreshing, with water fountains flowing around.
Written 19 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kapil Sood
Bengaluru, India413 contributions
Mar 2024 • Couples
Glad that we had this on our schedule. Very serene environment, excellent Darshans of Buddha and a place to spend some time. It's very well maintained, clean and organised. Also happy to see that they do not put restrictions on cameras etc. They have 2 nice restaurants inside this place. The handicrafts, paintings and clothes that they sell here are very expensive.
There is no specific dress code for visiting this place.
This is in Dharamshala on the outskirts on the opposite side as McLeod Ganj. There is paid public parking available near the entrance.
There is no specific dress code for visiting this place.
This is in Dharamshala on the outskirts on the opposite side as McLeod Ganj. There is paid public parking available near the entrance.
Written 22 March 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
labal
Chennai (Madras), India361 contributions
Feb 2023
The institute offers an insight into the way of life of Tibetans. Can see them at work sculpting, cutting, doing carpentry, etc. entry fee of 50 rupees to be paid. Can purchase items as souvenirs.
Written 13 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Surrey 13
London, UK1,324 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
This is a must. It tells you a lot about Tibetan culture paintings and art. The grounds as beautiful and worth going into the various workshops. The shop is lovely. Items are not cheap but of lovely quality.
The cafe is good for lunch and very reasonable.
The cafe is good for lunch and very reasonable.
Written 6 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, I want to send my son who is abusing substances and alcohol. How much does it cost. I am from Johannesburg South Africa
Many many thanks in advance, Cheryl
Written 3 March 2019
Sorry to know that. The environment and ambience of over all that area is very calming and it does leave an impact if one spend some considerable time there - there are many monasteries there that can help but you need to talk to them directly and they may have some more queries to consult you better.
Written 13 April 2019
How do we stay there in the rooms? No one has answered my two email inquiries.
Written 12 February 2019
Divine Hima is very good hotel near norbulingka- by walk you reach in 5-10 mins. I stayed there and it was very good experience- for any future visits @dharamshala - it will be my first choice.
Written 13 April 2019
It’s a paid visit, if I remember right it’s around Rs.40. Per person. It includes a free guide to take you through all the sections, wood craft, painting, metal craft, doll museum, the temple, cloth patch work, etc. where you can see artisans at work.
Written 5 May 2018
planning to trek to Triund Hills from Mcleod Gunj - are there any stops on the way and any alternative place to stay if not a tent at the summit?
Written 27 December 2017
people provide tents for rent at the summit
Written 27 December 2017
What are other places to visit within the surroundings
Written 15 October 2015
Hi,
Mc Leod Gunj is the area where you need to be if you want to see places. Norbulingka Institute where the Norling House is in Dharashala which is 20 - 30 minutes car-ride to Mc Leod Gunj and far removed from the buzz. Its quiet and nothing to see apart from the institute. After having been there, i would recommend you to plan your stay at Mc Leod Gunj instead of Dharamshala. You can consider staying in Dharamshala if you plan to do a Tibetan craft workshop at Norbulingka. However, the amenities at Norling House leaves a lot to be desired. Hence, not recommended.
Written 3 May 2016
Norbulingka is open 9am to 5:30pm everyday (shop, café, doll museum, temple & guesthouse). The workshops & offices are closed on Sundays & second Saturday of each month.
Written 14 August 2015
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