| Tibet is the referred real Shangri-la, the forbidden land, | | | | atop a massive rock) are other major sights here. |
| the roof of the world and the holy land of your | | | | Driving from Lhasa to Gyantse is a long, yet |
| innermost desire. Tibet has snowy mountains and | | | | spectacular drive. Along the way, you will get |
| grasslands, scattered herds of yak and nomads on the | | | | unforgettable views of the Yamdrok-Tso Lake and Mt |
| plateau, spectacular monasteries and unsophisticated | | | | Nojin Kangtsang. |
| smiles, tranquil lake and transparent blue sky. These | | | | Shigatse (3,900 m) lies some 274Km to the west of |
| are just a few of the reasons visitors to Tibet often | | | | Lhasa and is the second largest city in Tibet. The |
| find themselves coming back. | | | | highway runs alongside the Yarlung Tsangpo |
| The first stop for most Tibet tours is inevitably Lhasa, | | | | (Brahmaputra) river passing through narrow gorges |
| the capital of Tibet Province. Colorful and historic, the | | | | and broad river valleys. Farmers plowing their fields |
| holy city of Lhasa lies in a small valley 3700 meters | | | | with yaks, sheep grazing on the vast plains, awesome |
| above sea level. The Potala Palace and Jokhang are | | | | sand dunes and rocky hills in the distance are the |
| the must-see destinations for visitors to Lhasa. | | | | scenic rewards of this journey. |
| | | | | The Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in 1447 by the first |
| Potala Palace is the symbol of Tibet. This palace is | | | | Dalai Lama, is Shigatse's most important cultural and |
| sacred in Tibetan people hearts. With its majestic | | | | religious site. The main structures found in the |
| splendor, the Potala Palace would impress the | | | | Tashilhunpo Monastery are The Maitreya Chapel, The |
| inhabitants of any world capital. Thus the humble | | | | Panchen Lama's Palace and The Kelsang Temple. |
| Tibetan pilgrim, who has always lived in a yak hair tent, | | | | Tashilhunpo is the seat of the Panchen Lama since the |
| must view the Potala Palace with great reverence. It is | | | | Fourth Panchen Lama took charge in the monastery, |
| hard to believe that this 13-storey edifice containing | | | | and there are now nearly 800 lamas. |
| 999 rooms was built on a steep mountain as long ago | | | | Tsetang: During the long years, Tsetang has had many |
| as the seventh century. Touring it just like a huge | | | | "first", for instance, the first king Nyatri Tsenpo, the first |
| labyrinth. It makes you keep going and going. It is hard | | | | palace Yumbu Lhakang, the first temple Tradruk, the |
| to find the way out if let you wander alone there. | | | | first cropland Syarisotang, the first Tibetan Opera |
| Jokhang monastery, built in 647, is the earliest | | | | Pakhapu and the first Buddhist scripture Pangkong |
| wood-and-masonry structure still existing in Tibet. It is | | | | Chagya. Tsetang is also the place where King |
| the center of the Tibetan Buddhism and the sacred | | | | Songtsan Gampo united the whole Tibet and once |
| land of Buddhist followers. Thousands of pilgrims come | | | | lived with Princess Wencheng. The Tangka made and |
| here for worship everyday. Many of the pilgrims were | | | | embroidered by Princess Wencheng herself is still kept |
| crawling on the ground. Apparently, on their pilgrimage | | | | in Tradruk Temple, which is a great treasure house of |
| from their homes, pilgrims prostrate themselves on the | | | | culture and art. |
| ground after walking two steps and then repeat the | | | | Samye Monastery is Testang's most important cultural |
| process again and again. Many others were spinning | | | | and religious site. Samye monastery was built in the |
| prayer wheels. | | | | mid-8th century. Samye is first formal Buddhist |
| Within the city, are many sites that must be visited; the | | | | Monastery for the monks in Tibet. The magnificent and |
| huge university monasteries of Drepung and Sera, the | | | | unique Central Hall is three-story high. The first floor is |
| Barkhor pilgrim circuit and Tibetan Museum. | | | | of the Tibetan architectural style, the second the Han |
| Besides city Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatse and Tsetang in | | | | style and the third the Indian style. The halls in the |
| Tibet also remain mystical in many people's minds. | | | | monastery house many statues and murals. |
| Gyantse was once of major importance as a trading | | | | Tibet has so many destinations, too numerous to |
| center on the routes between India, Sikkim, Bhutan, | | | | mention, which makes visitors keep coming back. It is a |
| Tibet and China. Gyantse's symbol is the Kumbum | | | | province unique in China for its magnificent temples, |
| Stupa which is 32 m high and contains 77 rooms and | | | | snow-capped peaks, nomad camps, pilgrims and ethnic |
| 100,000 images of the Buddha. Kumbum Stupa is the | | | | culture. It is a truly a place to stir the senses and |
| finest example of 15th century Newar art extant in the | | | | nourish the soul - of all the destinations in China. |
| world. Pelkor Chode Monastery and Gyantse Fort (built | | | | |