Despite its remote location, Larung Gar grew from a handful of disciples to be one of the largest and most influential centers for the study of Tibetan Buddhism in the world. Today it is home to over 40,000 monks, nuns and lay-students.

The campus of Larung Gar is enormous. The houses for monks and nuns are all built in a wood style that is traditionally found in this region, and built so close together that they appear almost on top of each other and sprawl all over the valley and up the surrounding mountains.