This section deals with the monasteries of the Drikung Kagyu Order in Tibet, Ladakh and Nepal of major historical significance for the development of the order in particular and the spread of Tibetan Buddhism in general. Short historical sketches are provided for these monasteries.

Aside from the Drikung Valley in Central Tibet, the Drikung Kagyu lineage has expanded not only in Tibet proper, but also into the neighboring areas, especially into region of Nangchen in Eastern Tibet, to the area of Mt. Kailash and Purang in Western Tibet, and into Ladakh. The Drikungpa are also present in Tsari and Lapchi – two important sacred sites for all Tibetan Buddhists.