This particular lamasery is Kangding's largest and most famous. It is home to 80 practicing lamas-Tibetan teachers of Dharma. The lamasery belongs to the Gelug sect (sometimes refered to as the Yellow Hat sect).
Construction on the lamasery originally began the the 11th century AD, it was later destroyed by fires and rebuilt. The oldest parts still remaining today date back to the 16th century.
Nanwu Lamasery (Nanwu Si) is located about 2.5km (1.5 mi) south of the downtown area. Although technically a temple in China, it is very different in style and construction from other temples throughout mainland China.