Zhaxigenpei Lhakhang (Chinese:扎西根培拉康; Tibetan: བཀྲ་ཤིས་རྒན་པའི་ལྷ་ཁང་།), also known as Rainbow Valley, is a Tibetan Buddhist temple located in Cimei Village Committee, Lhozhag County, Shannan Prefecture, Tibet Autonomous Region, China. Situated 20 kilometers from Lhozhag County at an altitude of approximately 3,700 meters, the temple was designated a County-level Cultural Relic Protection Unit by the Lhozhag County Government in 2007.[1]
Founded in 1479 CE by the Fourth Karmapa of the Red Hat lineage, Awang Quzhai Yixi (Chinese:阿旺曲扎益西), the temple is historically significant as a hub for Buddhist pilgrimage. Awang Quzhai Yixi established the Zhari Pilgrimage Route during his decades of spiritual practice, which remains a vital path for devotees. The temple houses rare cultural artifacts, including thangka paintings by Dondrup Gyatso, a master of the Menri (Chinese:门当) painting school, and ancient Tibetan manuscripts, reflecting its role in preserving religious and artistic heritage.[2]
Ecologically, the temple is encircled by snow-capped peaks ranging from 5,000 to 6,000 meters in elevation, creating a dramatic alpine backdrop. The lower slopes are renowned for their biodiversity, hosting 108 species of flora, many identified as rare medicinal plants. In spring and summer, the valley transforms into a vibrant spectacle as rhododendrons, azaleas, and wildflowers blanket the hillsides in hues of crimson, gold, and white, earning the site its poetic nickname "Rainbow Valley".[3] The interplay of mist, sunlight, and snowmelt-fed streams enhances the ethereal beauty of the landscape, attracting both pilgrims and nature enthusiasts.[4]
