与世界上许多地方一样，西藏有不同宗教的建筑，但就数量、规模、影响和建筑特色而言，当数本教寺庙和藏传佛寺，而后者已成为西藏遗存的主要古代建筑。
现存藏传佛寺，多为因地制宜，依山而建。一般说来，整座建筑群以佛殿为中心，由经堂、扎仓皇（僧院）、僧舍及大活佛的宫殿组成。寺殿与宫殿相结合，殿宇毗连，重楼叠阁，错落有致，金碧辉煌。最为独特的是藏传佛寺的建筑艺术融汉族、印度、尼泊尔风格于一炉，形成极具民族个性的韵致。
Places of worship of the Tibetan Buddhism as Well as of the indigenous Bon religion abound in the Tibet Autonomous Region.They are distinctive in architectural style,and have had a great influence on the region since ancient times.
However,most of the old buildings remained till Present in Tibet are monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism that were constructed with regard to their geographical surroundings,usually at the feet of mountains.Generally speaking,a monastery complex is composed of the Sutra Hall,Zhacang (Buddhist schol),the living quarters of lamas,the palace of the Living Buddha,and the living quarters for the monks,grouped aroun the Hall of Enlightenment.The various buildings are connected with each other by corridors and courtyards,and form a harmonious whole.The monasteries of Tibetan Buddhism feature aspects of the architectural styles of inland China,lndia and Nepal.