| In my capacity as the UK Director of | | | | celebrate and a festival that is close to |
| Operations for One World Tours Limited, I am | | | | their heart, Saka dawa Festival, is |
| often asked about the destinations I have | | | | celebrated in Palkhor Monastery. The reason |
| been to and the best places to visit, so with | | | | that this festival is important to those that |
| this in mind I will endeavour to give a good | | | | celebrate it is because it is considered to |
| opinion on those. Here then, are my top | | | | be Sakyamunis' birthday. |
| suggestions for sites to visit during your | | | | |
| holiday in Tibet. | | | | The city of Xigatse is a 600 year old ancient |
| | | | city which is home to even more important |
| It is hard to believe that this beautiful | | | | monasteries like Sakya Monastery and |
| country known as the roof of the world, | | | | Tashilhunpo Monastery. This city is the |
| remained unknown to the rest of that world | | | | second largest in Tibet and boasts many |
| until the beginning of the 20th century. Once | | | | rivers including the holy Brahmaputra and |
| discovered though it has attracted people | | | | Nyangchu rivers, lakes, streams, you will |
| from near and far ever since. Adventurers | | | | even see some glaciers here. |
| have been enchanted by the magical scenery, | | | | |
| snow covered mountains and especially the | | | | If you are looking for an unusual gift for |
| county's alluring religion. Tibetan Buddhism | | | | someone back home or just a wonderful |
| is the most important thing in most Tibetans | | | | souvenier of this welcoming country then you |
| lives and to exhibit this there are a great | | | | will find markets in the area that are full |
| many spectacular monasteries which display | | | | to overflowing with unique and vibrant |
| elaborate murals and are home to many | | | | keepsakes. |
| inspiring sculptures. The Tibetan people are | | | | |
| very warm and welcoming and it is possible to | | | | Tashilhunpo Monastery is located in Shigatse, |
| visit with their families to get a true feel | | | | 250 km away from the capital of Tibet Lhasa. |
| of their way of life. Holidays and festivals | | | | The stunning monastery was 1st Dalai Lama in |
| are the most important days in Tibet. Or if | | | | the year 1447 and as you enter it you will |
| it the adrenalin rush that you are seeking | | | | observe a wall that was built on his command |
| then you may wish to join the thousands of | | | | a few years later. |
| mountaineers/adventurers that flock to these | | | | |
| mountains five of which exceed altitudes of | | | | From the 14th to the 16th of May (3 days) |
| 8,000 meters. | | | | according to the Tibetan calendar, the wall |
| | | | displays images of Lord Buddha anually. |
| Tibet is also home to several great rivers | | | | |
| which include the Yangtze, Yellow river, the | | | | On entering the Tashilhunpo Monastery you are |
| Nu River, the Mekong, the Indus, and the | | | | met with a majestic building with a shining |
| Ganges. | | | | golden roof, set off so beautifully with its |
| | | | white walls. Even more astounding is the |
| Zhangmu, located at an altitude of 2300 m | | | | sitting Buddha which measures in at almost 86 |
| above sea level is most famous for being near | | | | foot. It was made purely by hand using the |
| to Mt. Everest, which of course enables the | | | | skills of 900 men over a period of 9 years. |
| city to become a prime gathering place for | | | | |
| adventurers and visitors alike. The mountain | | | | The monastery also gives up another of its |
| may be the main attraction but the | | | | secrets in the form of the Stupa tomb final |
| monasteries here are not to be out shone the | | | | resting place of the tenth Panchen Lama. |
| most important of them being the Palkhor | | | | Covered with an astonishing 614 kg of gold |
| Monastery, the Tashilhunpo Monastery, and the | | | | and innumerable number of jewels and precious |
| Rongbuk Monastery. | | | | stones the Stupa tomb is a must when visiting |
| | | | Tibet. |
| As mentioned above the Tibetans love to | | | | |