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