Sakya’s heartland in southern Tibet brings to life some of Buddhism’s most atmospheric pilgrimage trails. At the very top of the list sits the original Sakya Monastery (Pelkhil), perched above the gray-tinged cliffs of Sakya County. Its striped “Earth-Lord” walls and vast libraries of prized tantras make it a must-visit for anyone tracing Sakya’s roots.

Not far behind is Ngor Ewam Chöden, often called “Ngor” for short. Founded in the 15th century, Ngor’s peaceful courtyards still echo with the crackle of butter lamps and the soft chant of mantra recitations. Restoration projects—spurred by international support after the 2015 Nepal quake—have given Ngor a fresh lease on life, yet it retains that time-worn charm.

A few days’ trek eastward brings pilgrims to Phugmoche Monastery, where snow-capped peaks frame prayer flags in every shade of luck and blessing. This remote retreat served as a cradle for the great Sakya lama Ngorchen Kunga Zangpo. In spring, rhododendrons bloom alongside mani walls, making the journey feel like stepping into a living thangka.

Further afield lies the Tsari pilgrimage circuit in southeastern Tibet, winding around the sacred Tsari Canyon once every twelve years. This trek—said to be one of the most demanding in the Himalayas—offers not just sweeping mountain vistas but encounters with nomadic tribes whose devotion keeps ancient Sakya rituals very much alive.

Beyond Tibet’s borders, the Sakya Centre at Dehra Dun in India has become a modern hub for study and practice. Since hosting the 2018 Sakya World Fellowship, it has drawn a cosmopolitan crowd eager to explore both sutra scholarship and esoteric tantra under the same roof.

Last but not least, Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar stand as universal destinations for all Tibetan schools—including Sakya. Even today, watching pilgrims prostrate around the kora at dawn carries a timeless magic that’s hard to describe in words.

From cliff-side chapels to high-altitude pilgrimage trails, these sites weave the Sakya tradition into every rock and prayer wheel—offering a spiritual odyssey that’s equal parts history, devotion, and breathtaking scenery.