The short answer
Bir Tibetan Colony: what visitors should know first
Yes, and plan half a day on foot. Walk between the monasteries at an easy pace, stop for tea or momos, and visit in the morning when it is cool and the lanes are quiet.
History and context
The story behind Bir Tibetan Colony
The Bir Tibetan Colony was founded in the early 1960s following the exile of the Dalai Lama and other Tibetans. The third Neten Chokling Rinpoche arrived in 1966 with his family and a small entourage, and land was acquired for a settlement.
The colony grew to include monasteries from the Nyingma, Karma Kagyu and Sakya traditions, a Tibetan Children's Village school and, in 2006, Deer Park Institute.
Useful facts
Bir Tibetan Colony facts at a glance
- Location
- Chowgan, southwest edge of Bir
- Experience type
- Walkable settlement with monasteries and cafés
- Known for
- Tibetan monasteries, prayer wheels and a Tibetan school
- Schools represented
- Nyingma, Karma Kagyu and Sakya
- Visitor note
- Foreigners may need a Protected Area Permit
Why it matters
Why Bir Tibetan Colony is worth your time
The colony is the reason Bir feels different from other Himachal villages. It began in the early 1960s, after the exile of the Dalai Lama and other refugees from Tibet, when Chokling Rinpoche founded a settlement and families were given land to build houses. Today it holds monasteries from several Tibetan Buddhist schools, a school, a medical institute branch and a handicraft centre.
The settlement has also had a small part in film. Khyentse Norbu shot his feature debut, The Cup, here in 1999. For a visitor, the colony is a living community rather than a theme-park version of Tibet, and it rewards slow, respectful walking.
Highlights
What not to miss
- 01
Monasteries on foot
Several monasteries sit within easy walking distance, each from a different Tibetan lineage.
- 02
Momos and tea
Small restaurants in the lanes serve Tibetan dishes and simple meals.
- 03
A refugee settlement with a history
Founded in the 1960s, the colony remains a lived-in community.
Plan your visit
How to experience it
Start at Chokling Monastery, the largest complex, then walk through the colony lanes at your own pace. The settlement includes monasteries from the Nyingma, Karma Kagyu and Sakya traditions, among them Chokling, Palyul and Drikung institutions and the Sakya society at Dirru, so you can compare how each is organised. Prayer wheels, small shops and cafés line the route, and monks in maroon robes are a normal part of the street.
Pause for tea or Tibetan food: momos and other Tibetan dishes are available at small restaurants, and several cafés serve western breakfasts. The Tibetan Children's Village school and the Men-Tsee-Khang medical branch are part of the community and are not tourist sights, so treat them respectfully. Be careful on the lanes near the landing fields on flying afternoons, when visitors and pilots mingle.
A good loop is monastery, Deer Park, lunch, then the landing fields at about four. Take small change for tea and shops, wear shoes that are easy to slip off, and keep your camera discreet around monks and families.
Plan with confidence
Small decisions that make the visit easier.
- Wear shoes that slip off easily for temple halls
- Dress modestly and be discreet with cameras
- Carry small change for tea and shops
- Check Protected Area Permit rules if you are a foreign national
- Take care near the landing fields on flying afternoons
Know before you go
Timing, access and comfort
- Area
- Chowgan, southwest edge of Bir village
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 hours for a leisurely walk
- Best time
- Mornings in autumn and spring; the colony is also the best place to be in the flying season afternoons
- Walking level
- Easy
- Senior comfort
- Lanes are mostly flat with light traffic, and cafés offer frequent seating. Some monastery steps and floor seating exist, but the colony as a whole is gentle for older walkers.
- Tickets and access
- Walking the colony is free. Monasteries are open to visitors with modest dress and quiet. Foreign nationals staying in the colony may need a Protected Area Permit, so check the current rules before travelling.
Best for
Plan it with
Plan the practical part
Hotels near Bir Tibetan Colony
Staying close keeps journeys short — useful for early starts and for anyone who tires quickly.
Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Prices are live on the partner site.
Travelling with parents?
Lanes are mostly flat with light traffic, and cafés offer frequent seating. Some monastery steps and floor seating exist, but the colony as a whole is gentle for older walkers.
Raahzo can arrange an arrival or day companion who handles tickets, queues and pacing, and keeps the family updated.
See concierge supportFAQs
Is the Tibetan Colony safe to walk at night?
The lanes are generally quiet, but lighting is limited. Carry a torch and ask your guesthouse about the safest route.
Do foreigners need a permit?
Foreign nationals staying in the Tibetan Colony may need a Protected Area Permit. Check current rules with an official source before travelling.
What is there to eat?
Small restaurants serve momos and other Tibetan dishes, and several cafés offer western breakfasts and vegetarian food.
Sources and further reading
Timings, fees and access rules change. Recheck with the official source before you travel.
