[2] The fifth Panchen Lama invested in restoration projects for the monastery and it continued printing the Buddhist scriptures, the Kangyur and the Tengyur, until 1959.

They had contained priceless 14th century murals possibly painted by the artist scholars of nearby Shalu Monastery.

Today, only the mud-brick foundations can be discerned although parts of the Mongolian styled high-fortress walls are still standing.

The printers, splattered with ink up to their elbows,sat upon the floor as they worked, while in other rooms monks cut the paper according to the size required for each kind of book.

"[3]"The high crumbling walls of Narthang are visible behind a roadside village: a few monks have returned to the lamasery and several minor buildings have been restored.