The conceptual design for Druk Ugyen Samye Ling, a monumental Buddhist monastery complex planned for the Gelephu Mindfulness City (GMC) in southern Bhutan, was officially unveiled on October 12, 2026. The project, which received a Royal Kasho in 2025, is set to cover over 20 acres and will be modeled after the historic Samye Monastery in Tibet.
The ambitious complex will feature 15 distinct types of temples, all surrounded by 1,008 chortens. Project Director Khenpo Tenzin Gyatso noted that the site is intended to house sacred relics and 100,000 statues of Guru Ugyen Norlha. Construction is slated to begin by the end of 2026, with a target completion date of 2029.