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