Traveling away from Dzogchen monastery along the S456 highway, after 10km from Chusumdo, and turn right along San A road in a small valley known as Nangchu valley where the Shechen monastery is located between Bonri and Dolmari hills. The site was chosen because on the slopes of Dolmari there were many sacred hermitages and caves associated with Guru Padmasambhava, Yeshi Tsogyal, Tangtong Gyalpo, and so forth.
Shechen monastery was founded in 1735 by the 2nd Shechen Rabjam, Gyurme Kunsang Namgyal. The seat was maintained by his successive emanations, including the 3rf Shechen Rabjam Rigzin Peljor Gyatso who constructed the Pema Choling hermitage in 1794. In the time of the regent Gyaltsen Tenzin Chogyal, a hundred thousand students gathered from all four Tibetan Buddhist traditions and also from Bon to receive his teachings.
The monastery was known for its fine sculptures, tangkas, and murals. A prestigious college at Shechen monastery was founded by Gyaltsen Pema Namgyal in the early 19th century. It rapidly became well known in Kham for the excellence of its study program, largely through the efforts of the late Shechen Kongtrul and 6th Shechen Rabjam until 1959. Shechen college is located beyond the stream, restored through the efforts of the late Lama Gyenpel.
Above the temple on the slope of Dolmari are many ruined hermitages and sacred caves associated with important historical figures and ditties. Some of the notable caves are Kabgye Drupuk, where Vajravarahi reputedly appeared in rock during the meditation of Gyaltsab Gyurme Pema Namgyal. This cave was damaged during the Cultural Revolution but the earth inside is held by pilgrims to be sacred. Zangdok Pelri Drupuk was the meditation cave of Guru Padmasambhava and Yeshi Tsogyal where pilgrims go to gather natural medicinal nectar.
Currently, the Shechen monastery has a few hundred monks studying at the college and the monastery. There are so many chapels and temples. At the foothill of Dolmari, there is a newly built statue of Guru Padmasambhava. The valley is surrounded by juniper forest.
