Dege Parkhang-Tibet.

The celebrated printing press of Dege Parkhang is a magnificent three-storeyed building with original frescoes that were blackened by smoke during the wanton destruction of the 1960s, but recently restored with pains-taking care. Beyond the portico, there is an inner courtyard, giving access to the temple on the ground level, the printing works on the second level, and the rooftop chapels on the third level. The temple contains original exquisite images of the three emanations of Manjughosa, namely; Sakya Pandita, flanked by Tsongkhapa and Longchen Rabjampa; along with Four-armed Avalokiteshvara, Amitabha, Shakyamuni, Padmasambhava, Manjughosa, Tara, Pelpung Situ Chokyi Junge, and King Tenpa Tsering. There is an old tangka depicting Milarepa and murals of the 1,000 buddhas of the aeon.

Upstair, is the precious collection of xylograph blocks, including the Derge editions of the Kangyur, Tangyur, Nyingma Gyudbum and other works, which are constantly in demand throughout the towns, villages and monasteries of Tibet. The entire printing process can be observed here; from the preparation of the paper and the ink to the carving of the woodblocks and the actual printing and collating of the various texts. The bookshop is located in the south wing of the building opposite the Parkhang.