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Accommodation options in Seda include the county seat or the Five Sciences Buddhist Academy, both of which have greatly improved. The academy's hotels do not accept reservations. During the annual Dharma ceremonies in January, April, June, and September, when tens of thousands of people flock to Seda, booking a hotel in the county seat is essential.
Accommodation options in the city are gradually increasing, but many have public restrooms and bathrooms. Living in Seda County, commuting to the Buddhist Academy daily by taxi or local van costs 6-7 yuan each way. The advantages are that the county is at a lower altitude and has better infrastructure, making food and accommodation relatively convenient. The disadvantages are that the commute is cumbersome and you won't be able to experience the Buddhist Academy's nightlife.
Located in the heart of the county town, within the county government building, the guesthouse occupies a large area, requiring a considerable walk to reach. The rooms are equipped with a stove, clean water, and a basket of firewood. The public restrooms are relatively clean. Outside the guesthouse, there's a tap on the flat ground that draws cold groundwater for washing.
Address: Seda County Government
Reference price: Standard room starts from 75 yuan/day
There are two types of rooms here: standard rooms and special offer rooms. The standard rooms have a good environment and are very cost-effective. The boss is very nice and can help book return tickets.
Address: Seda County
Contact: 13990487426, 0836-8523712
Reference price: Standard room starts from RMB 120/day, bed starts from RMB 30/day
A relatively new hotel, not too big, with 2-3 bedrooms and electric blankets in winter, but the toilet is not particularly clean.
Address: East Jinma Avenue, Seda County
Contact: 0836-8522967
Reference price: Standard room starts from 30 yuan/day
The hotel's appearance is similar to Gesar Castle. It has a catering department, guest rooms, leisure and entertainment department, and tourism information department. It is an important foreign-related and tourist reception center in Seda County.
Address: No. 19, Middle Jianshe Road, Seda County
Contact: 0836-8521577
Reference price: Standard room starts from RMB 388 per day
The number of accommodations at the Five Sciences Buddhist College is limited. There is Larung Gar on the mountain, a poverty alleviation guesthouse at the foot of the mountain, and two hotels on the mountainside. The conditions of these hotels are not very good, especially the water needs to be fetched from the foot of the mountain, which is very inconvenient; but you can enjoy the night view of Seda and feel the Buddhist atmosphere.
The hotel is located at the highest point of the Buddhist Academy. It is divided into two sections: the left side houses standard and private rooms, and the right side houses beds. From here, you can enjoy a panoramic view, practically overlooking the entire Buddhist Academy. It is also very close to the mandala, and each floor has a shared bathroom. However, the basic facilities are poor; water is adequate in the summer but scarce in the winter. There is a Chinese restaurant within the hotel, but the service is slow.
Address: Beside the Mandala of Wuming Buddhist College, Seda County
Contact: 0836-8526669/13568697664
Reference price: Standard room starts from RMB 180/day, bed 30-40 yuan/day
The advantages here are better infrastructure, with running water and public restrooms, and reasonable accommodation. This guesthouse serves as a hub for private vehicles from the Buddhist Academy to nearby areas of Sertar. Buses to Ganzi, Daofu, and Luhuo are available, making it convenient for both carpooling and self-drive. However, the downside is that the location is slightly lower, submerged among the surrounding scripture halls and monks' quarters, limiting visibility and making it particularly challenging for photography enthusiasts. It's also quite far from the Buddhist Academy's most sacred mandala, making circumambulating the temple and praying there a daunting climb. Furthermore, men and women live separately, and couples are also required to stay separately.
Address: Next to the Great Sutra Hall of Wuming Buddhist College, Seda County
Contact: 0836-8525457
Reference price: Bed starting from 30 yuan/day
If you know a resident monk or fellow practitioner at the academy, or if you encounter a kind nun or lama who invites you to stay at their home, women can stay with a nun or female lay Buddhist, and men can stay with a lama or male lay Buddhist. Men and women must live separately, and no one is allowed to enter areas of the opposite sex without permission, as this violates the academy's precepts. It's best to bring your own sleeping bag during your stay, and try to conserve electricity and water to avoid causing trouble for the monks. However, if you have any questions, please promptly ask for assistance. Most houses at the academy lack restrooms; all restrooms are shared, with separate bathrooms for men and women. When you leave, you can offer them a small monetary gift as a token of your gratitude; the amount depends on your wishes.