Discover Tibetan Buddhism


Things to Do on Tibet Tour

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 yourmajor sights here.
innermost desire. Tibet has snowyDriving from Lhasa to Gyantse is a long,
mountains and grasslands, scatteredyet spectacular drive. Along the way,
herds of yak and nomads on the plateau,you will get unforgettable views of the
spectacular monasteries andYamdrok-Tso Lake and Mt Nojin Kangtsang.
unsophisticated smiles, tranquil lakeShigatse (3,900 m) lies some 274Km to
and transparent blue sky. These are justthe west of Lhasa and is the second
a few of the reasons visitors to Tibetlargest 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 Tibetnarrow gorges and broad river valleys.
Province. Colorful and historic, theFarmers plowing their fields with yaks,
holy city of Lhasa lies in a smallsheep grazing on the vast plains,
valley 3700 meters above sea level. Theawesome sand dunes and rocky hills in
Potala Palace and Jokhang are thethe distance are the scenic rewards of
must-see destinations for visitors tothis journey.
Lhasa.The Tashilhunpo Monastery, built in 1447
Âby 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 peoplesite. The main structures found in the
hearts. With its majestic splendor, theTashilhunpo Monastery are The Maitreya
Potala Palace would impress theChapel, The Panchen Lama's Palace and
inhabitants of any world capital. ThusThe Kelsang Temple. Tashilhunpo is the
the humble Tibetan pilgrim, who hasseat of the Panchen Lama since the
always lived in a yak hair tent, mustFourth Panchen Lama took charge in the
view the Potala Palace with greatmonastery, and there are now nearly 800
reverence. It is hard to believe thatlamas.
this 13-storey edifice containing 999Tsetang: During the long years, Tsetang
rooms was built on a steep mountain ashas had many "first", for instance, the
long ago as the seventh century. Touringfirst king Nyatri Tsenpo, the first
it just like a huge labyrinth. It makespalace Yumbu Lhakang, the first temple
you keep going and going. It is hard toTradruk, the first cropland Syarisotang,
find the way out if let you wander alonethe first Tibetan Opera Pakhapu and the
there.first Buddhist scripture Pangkong
Jokhang monastery, built in 647, is theChagya. Tsetang is also the place where
earliest wood-and-masonry structureKing Songtsan Gampo united the whole
still existing in Tibet. It is theTibet and once lived with Princess
center of the Tibetan Buddhism and theWencheng. The Tangka made and
sacred land of Buddhist followers.embroidered by Princess Wencheng herself
Thousands of pilgrims come here foris still kept in Tradruk Temple, which
worship everyday. Many of the pilgrimsis 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 theimportant cultural and religious site.
ground after walking two steps and thenSamye monastery was built in the mid-8th
repeat the process again and again. Manycentury. Samye is first formal Buddhist
others were spinning prayer wheels.Monastery for the monks in Tibet. The
Within the city, are many sites thatmagnificent and unique Central Hall is
must be visited; the huge universitythree-story high. The first floor is of
monasteries of Drepung and Sera, thethe Tibetan architectural style, the
Barkhor pilgrim circuit and Tibetansecond the Han style and the third the
Museum.Indian style. The halls in the monastery
Besides city Lhasa, Gyantse, Shigatsehouse many statues and murals.
and Tsetang in Tibet also remainTibet has so many destinations, too
mystical in many people's minds.numerous to mention, which makes
Gyantse was once of major importance asvisitors keep coming back. It is a
a trading center on the routes betweenprovince unique in China for its
India, Sikkim, Bhutan, Tibet and China.magnificent temples, snow-capped peaks,
Gyantse's symbol is the Kumbum Stupanomad camps, pilgrims and ethnic
which is 32 m high and contains 77 roomsculture. It is a truly a place to stir
and 100,000 images of the Buddha. Kumbumthe senses and nourish the soul - of all
Stupa is the finest example of 15ththe destinations in China.
century Newar art extant in the world.



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