Discover Tibetan Buddhism


Unveil the Mysterious City - Lhasa

Trip to Lhasa are the most highlights instudies of the monk gives me a vivid
my fabulous 9 days china vacation. Myimpression.
trip starts from Beijing. After 4 daysÂ
traveling there and a wonderful BeijingIn late afternoon, we visit another site
Duck dinner, we fly to Lhasa and rest aton the World Heritage List: Norbulinka,
Xiongbala hotel.the Dalai Lama former summer palace. It
Many people would like to describe Lhasawas constructed in the 18th century. It
as the "Roof of the World" and theis the biggest garden in Tibet and a
"Third Pole of the Globe". Yes, it ismasterpiece of Tibetan art. Every wall
true. Walk into Tibet, look at the clearin every building was covered with
azure sky and explore this exotic landmurals. It is well worth visiting since
full of diverse culture, you will haveit is a combination of feudal palaces,
unique lifelong memories. This articlenatural scenery and a structure with a
presents my four days highlight journeyrole in Tibetan religious.
in and around Lhasa. It's more than theDay 4: In the morning we drive to
journey.Yamdrok Tso. Yamdrok Tso (4441 m), one
Day 1: Morning flight to Lhasa, a Buddhaof the three holy lakes in Tibet and the
holy land. We arrived at Lhasa airportlargest habitat of waterfowls in south
as schedule and were met and escorted toTibet. From there you will enjoy the
our hotel by our tour guide, John. He isunforgettable vista of Yamdrok Tso's
a handsome guy and has a good sense ofspear-shaped expanse of turquoise water,
humor. We have a pleasant time togetherwith the mysterious Mt. Donang Sangwari
in the following days in Tibet.(5,340m) on the peninsula beyond, and
Day 2: Today we went to Potala Palacethe snow peaks of Nojin Gangzang
and Jokhang Temple. Potala Palace is the(7,191m) in the distance.
symbol of Tibet. This palace is sacredÂ
in Tibetan people hearts. With itsThe lake and the Yarlungtsangpo River
majestic splendor, the Potala Palace(3570) are separated by a mountain and
would impress the inhabitants of anythe shortest distance between them is
world capital. Thus the humble Tibetanonly 6 kilometers. The 800m-high
pilgrim, who has always lived in a yakdifference contributes a rich water
hair tent, must view the Potala Palaceresource to this region. Many Tibetan
with great reverence. It is hard topeople believe that the life of Tibet
believe that this 13-storey edificewill no longer continue when the lake
containing 999 rooms was built on adries up.
steep mountain as long ago as theOn the way driving back to Lhasa, we
seventh century. Touring it just like awere invited to visit one of the local
huge labyrinth.It makes you keep goingfamilies just roadside. The family we
and going. It is hard to find the wayvisited lived in a traditional wooden
out if let you wander alone there.home, which was beautifully painted. It
Jokhang monastery: The temple built inwas very colorful, and had religious
647, is the earliest wood-and-masonrydecorations everywhere. The home is very
structure still existing in Tibet. It issimple and have not much modern
the center of the Tibetan Buddhism andconveniences, but it is beautiful and
the sacred land of Buddhist followers.comfortable.
Thousands of pilgrims come here forThe Tibetan people are very hospitable.
worship everyday. Many of the pilgrimsWe were already told by our guide that
were crawling on the ground. Apparently,presenting Hada (or Khatag) is a
on their pilgrimage from their homes,traditional practice in Tibet to show
pilgrims prostrate themselves on therespect and hospitality. When we entered
ground after walking two steps and thenthe house, the lady of the owner
repeat the process again and again. Manypresented the Hada to us. And she
others were spinning prayer wheels.treated us hot butter tea, barley beer
Day 3: Early in the morning, we start toand the other Tibetan snacks we could
explore Drepung Monastery which was onenot tell the name. We did not prepare
of Tibet largest monasteries andall these food taste so good. We were
monastic universities. It is located inimpressive to see the lady to make the
the hills on the northern outskirts ofbutter tea. We had never seen anything
Lhasa, and was established in 1416 as anlike this. She put boiling tea, salt,
institute of higher Buddhist educationand butter into a thin churn, and then
by Khenpo Lekden. Khenpo Lekden is achurned it all together. She is a so
direct disciple of Lama Tsongkhapasweet lady and we left some gifts for
(1357-1419), founder of the eclecticgratitude before we leave.
Geluk. The First Dalai Lama was also aRecommended tours: Beijing: Day 1:
disciple of Lama Tsongkhapa, and theArrival in Beijing. Day 2: Beijing city
Second Dalai Lama built a residence intour to the Forbidden City & Temple of
Drepung, called the Ganden Potrang,Heaven Day 3: Explore the Mutianyu Great
which remained a hereditary seat of allWall. Day 4: Beijing Hutong tour; half
subsequent Dalai Lamas.day free.
ÂLhasa: Day 5: Arrival in Lhasa. Day 6:
After that we visit the Sera MonasteryLhasa city tour to Potala Palace,
in the afternoon. The Sera Monastery isJokhang Temple and Barkhor Street Day 7
known as one of the three great: Have a whole day trip in Lhasa City of
monasteries of Tibet along with DrepungTibet Museum, local Tibetan family
and Ganden. All of the aforementionedvisiting and Sera Monastery after lunch
belong to the Gelukpa Sect which wasDay 8: drive down to Yamdrok Lake and
founded by Tsong Karpa in the early 15thtake a visit. Be transferred back to
century and all are within Lhasa. I wasLhasa Day 9: The time before transfer to
told that monks gather here to havethe airport is free on your own
debates on the Buddhist scriptures at 3arrangement. Bid Lhasa a fond farewell
pm everyday. I can't understand Buddhistas board the flight or get on the train
scriptures, but looking the life andto your next stop.



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