Ganden Monastery is located about 30 miles east of Lhasa. Completed in 1417 and perched along the high sheltered slopes of a mountain, the monastery grew to the size of a small township. By 1959 this calm secluded centre of learning and contemplation housed more than 5,000 monks, but with the Chinese occupation the monks were forced to scatter, and by the mid-sixties the monastery was nearly deserted. More damage was suffered during the Cultural Revolution and it was not until quite recently that reconstruction began. There are presently about 300 monks living here. The site of Ganden is spectacular and one of the best ways to appreciate it is to circumambulator the monastery to enjoy the views and smell of juniper.