LHASA
Lhasa, a city of Sunshine
Lhasa means holy land in Tibetan. On the northern
bank of Lhasa River, a tributary of Yarlung Zangbo
River, it is 3,650 meters (11972ft) above sea level.
It is famous for its long history. Lhasa is also famous
as a city of sunshine for its sunshine of more than
3,000 hours a year. It is the capital city of the
Tibet Autonomous Region and is a political, economic
and cultural centre of the region. It boasts many
historical sites and scenic spots both in its urban
areas and outskirts. The Potala Palace & Jokhang,
Sera, Ganden monasteries & Drepung Temple are
well known at home & abroad.
Sera Monastery
At the foot of the Wuze Hill in Sera to the north
of Lhasa, the Sera Monastery is one of the three great
monasteries in Lhasa & on of the six great monasteries
of the Gelug Sect of Buddhism in Tibet. It was built
by one of disciples of Zonggaba in 1419. On 27 of
the 12 months of the Tibetan calendar, the monastery
holds the grand Sera Bungchen Festival, which attracts
flocks of Buddhists and others.
Klukang Monastery
It is located in the northern part of the old city
of Lhasa. The Klukang Monastery was built in the mid-seventh
century. It was damaged & rebuilt several times.
The monastery houses many murals & the statues
of Sakyamuni, Maitreya & others. The main hall
houses a gilded full-length statue of the eight years
old Sakyamuni brought to Tibet by the Nepalese Princess
Bhrikuti. The monastery is the location of the Tantric
College of the Gelung Sect in Tibet.
Jokhang
Jokhang is one of the oldest temples in Tibet, situated
at the heart of the oldest section of the Lhasa city,
which was built in the 7th century by the 33rd king
Sontsanganbu.
Barkor
It is a market street outside the Jokhang Temple,
about 500 meters (1640 feet) long. People come here
for either circling around the temple or shopping.
A wide variety of souvenirs are available here.
Potala Palace
Standing on the Red Hill on Beijing C. Road, Lhasa,
the Potala Palace is the highest of its kind in the
world. The palace was first built in the seventh century
& it was damaged in the eighth century. In the
17 century, it was rebuilt in the Fifth Dalai lama
in three years. It has 13 story main building is 117
meter (383ft) high and is composed of the Red and
White Palaces, with the red one in the middle. The
main building consists of the Hall of Stupas of Dalai
lamas from various historical stages & halls of
Buddhist. The White Palace is the residence of the
Dalai Lama & place for handling political affairs.
The Potala palace houses great amounts of rare cultural
relics including the Pattra-leaf scripture from India,
Bak’gyur & the imperial edicts, golden seals
& titles of nobility from the Qing emperors to
the Dalai Lama.
Drupung Monastery
Drepung Monastery is the biggest Gelupa monastery
in the west suburb of Lhasa, which was built in 1416
by Tsongapa's disciple Jamyang - choje.
Norbu Lingka
Norbu Lingka means a lovely garden in Tibetan. Located
in the western suburbs of Lhasa, it has been a palace
for the Dalai Lams to stay to escape the summer heat.
It was built in the 1740 & covers an area of 36
hectares. It was once a place of bathing & recuperation
of the Seventh Dalai Lama. The Qing minister stationed
in Tibet built the first palace here. Since then,
the eighth, 13 & 14 Dalai Lamas built their own
palaces here too. Continuous expansions in the past
200 odd years have turned it a large scale & Tibet
style palace complex & garden. On festival &
holidays, the local people in their splendid attires
come here with food & tents to sing & dance
overnight.
Gandian Monastery
One of the three major monasteries in Lhasa, it is
the first temple of the Gelug Sect of Tibetan Buddhism.
Built in 1409, the main components of the temple include
a prayer hall, the hall housing the dagoba of Tsong
Khapa, founder of the Gelug Sect, & a Buddhist
academy.
Reting Monastery
Reting Monastery is the first Kadampa monastery in
Tibet, built in 1056 by Dromtonpa, the sect's founder.
It was intimately associated with Atisha, the Indian
Buddhist teacher who spearheaded the revival of Buddhism
in Tibet in the 11th century. Reting is in a striking
area of Jang, a region of pristine valleys & high
ridges north of Lhasa. The spacious assembly hall
has new, impressive murals depicting Tsong Khapa,
lamas of the Kadampa & Gelugpa sects, & Gelugpa
tantric deities.
Tibet Museum
Located at the southeast corner of Norbu Lingka, Lhasa,
it is the first modern museum in Tibet. It covers
an area of 53,959 square meters (176985ft) & has
a floor space of 23,508 square meters (77106ft) including
an exhibition area of 10,451 square meters (34279ft).
The museum demonstrates a strict & magnificent
traditional Tibetan architectural style. Also it reflects
a salient feature of modern architectural art. The
museum houses a rich collection of cultural relics
including various kinds of cultural relics of pre-history,
handwritten Tibetan classics, colorful Thangka pictures,
music & ritual instruments, unique handicrafts
& pottery. From the exhibition the visitors can
see the long-standing history & profound culture
& art of Tibet. Outside the exhibition hall are
green & shadowy trees. Also there are a performance
area for modern cultural & physical activities,
a garden of local customs, folk culture & manor
houses. In addition, the museum has a cultural gallery,
handicraft shop & other service facilities. It
is a good place for people to relax while visiting
the exhibition.
Yangbajain
In Damxung County, Lhasa, Yangbajain contains rich
geothermal resources and is famous as a geothermal
museum. The well known Yanbajain Geothermal Power
Station stands here. It has hot springs everywhere
and when the valve is switched on, hot water spurts
several meters or even dozens of meters high, constituting
a magnificent scene.
Crupu Monastery
Built in 1187, the Curpu Monastery is located in the
Doilungdeqen County, 70 km away from Lhasa. It is
the main monastery of the Black Cap Group of the Karma
Sect. The system of succession to grant the Living
Buddha was originated here and has become popular
among various sects of the Tibetan Buddhism.
SHIGATSE
Gyantse
Gyantse lies 260km southwest of Lhasa on the Northern
bank of Nyang Chu River. It takes around 8 hours to
reach Gyantse crossing the Khambla Pass (4800meter/15744ft)
where the beautiful Yamdrok Tso will be seen &
the Karo La Pass (5010m/16432ft) where the year around
glacier will be seen. Gyantse has been known as a
heroic town since Tibetans resisted the Young husband’s
British Expedition to Tibet in 1904.
Phalkor Monastery
Phalkor monastery was built in the 15th century by
the local chieftain Raptan Kunsang under the guidance
of the first Panchan Lama. There are 100,000 images
in the Kumbum pagoda, both solid & painting. It
is a real work of art; one of the most magnificent
buildings in Tibet, strongly of Newari (Nepal) architecture,
architecture in 1440 by Rabtan Kungsang.
Shigatse
Shigatse is the second biggest city in Tibet, 90kms
away from Gyantse. The famous Tashillunpo monastery
in Shigatse was the seat of the Panchan Lama, one
of the six important Gelupa monasteries in China,
built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama.
Sakya Monastery
It is located 160km west of Shigatse. It is being
divided into the north part & the south part.
The Sakya North Monastery lies on the northern bank
of the Trum, founded in 1073 by Kong Chogyal Pho whose
family went back to the times of King Trisong Detsen.
The south Sakya Monastery was built by the Sakya Panchen.
Sakya, Zangpo on the orders of the famous Sakya patriarch,
Phagpa. The Sakya Monastery could be seen as the entire
monastery. There are also some recently discovered
sacred texts written on patra leaves kept in store
on the upper floor.
Rongbuk Monastery
The Lhaduicha Rongbu Dongarquling Monastery, popularly
called the Rongbu Monastery, was originally built
by the Lama Arwandangzanglube (submitted to the Red
Sect of Buddhism) in the Iron Cattle year of the Tibetan
calendar. Lying within Tingri County in Shigatse prefecture,
just 40 km away from Mount Qomolangma, the word’s
highest mountain, this monastery at an altitude of
more than 5100 meters (16728ft), is the highest monastery
in the world. There are 8 small chapels besides the
main chapels, with 250 Lamas & 350 mums in it.
Yemar (Iwang) Monastery
Yemar, known locally as Iwang, stands on the Gyantse-Yatung
highway that links southern Tibet wit Sikkim. To reach
the monastery from the center of Gyantse, walk 1 km
west to the main highway junction. The right branch
goes to Shigatse, the left south to the Chumbi Valley
& Ytung. Yemar’s founding is attributed
to Lharje Chojang, a Lama & a physician considered
a previous incarnation of Khache Panchen, himself
a kashmiri who came to Yemar in 1204. By comparing
Yemar’s murals with similar ones at Tsi Nesar,
it is possible to say that those at Yemar are earlier.
Thus the monastery was probably founded in the first
decades of the 11th century.
SHANNAN
(TSEDANG)
Shannan – Birthplace of Tibetan Culture
Shannan is the birthplace of Tibetan culture. On the
southern bank of the middle reaches of the Yarlung
Zangbo River, it is 3,600 meters (11808ft) above sea
level. Shannan has a temperate climate.
Samye monastery
Samye monastery is designed on the plan of Odantpuri
temple, covering a total of 25000 square meters (82000ft)
of land, Built in the 8 century by an Indian Buddhist
master Padhamsambhava.
Youbulakhang
Yombulakhang, the first palace for the first king
in Tibetan history, is 15km away from Tsedang town.
The mountain slope palace was originally built in
the second century, but he replica was rebuilt in
the 1980s
Chamdrok
Chamdrok is one other oldest temple in Tibet, 4km
away from the Tsedang hotel, built in the 7 century
by the king Sontsan Gambu.
The King’s Tomb
On the Mure Mountain opposite to Qonggyai County seat
in Shannan Prevecture this burial ground of the 29–40
Tsanpos of the Turbo kingdom is the only group of
the tombs of the Tibetan Kings in Tibet & has
a history of more than 1300 years.
Yamdrok Yamtso
It is located in Lang Kazi country, it is 4400 meters
(14432ft) above sea level; 800 square km in size &
30-40 meters (98-131ft) in depth. Yamdrok means the
upper pasture & Yamtso means green jade. A bird’s
eye view will reveal Yamdrok yamtso as a big blue
jade among mountain. It is very beautiful with cattle
grazing around & water birds flying up & down.
Lhamo Latso
Lhamo latso is the most important oracle lake, known
for its remembering divinities properties. Believers
from the Dalai Lams down made obligatory pilgrimages
to it in order to have their futures foretold; Regents
came here to look for clues to the whereabouts of
future Dalai Lamas. It is considered to be the dwelling
of Tibet’s protector, the goddess Palden Lhamo,
& its water.
Yalong Scenic Area
In Shannan prefecture, it is a picturesque gallery
composed of pastureland, river valley, the snow clapped
mountains & glaciers & ancient religious sites.
The customs are unique here. Also it has rich varieties
of plantations, distributed vertically according to
the changes of elevation. The historical & cultural
sites include the earliest palace Yombulagang in Tibet,
the first temple Samyae Monastery in Tibet, the earliest
Buddhist hall Changzhug Monastery & the tombs
of the Tibetan kings. In total there are some 40 scenic
spots in the area.
Minzholing Monastery
The monastery was built in the late 10 century &
had its current name when it was rebuilt in 1677.
It is one of the three great monasteries of the Rnyingma
Sect. The monastery has paid attention to the research
of the Buddhist classics, astronomical calendar, calligraphy
rhetoric & Tibetan medicines & is famous for
its achievements in these fields.
The Hot Springs in Oiga
In a small pasture & in the Oiga Town there are
seven hot springs. The spring water is effective for
treating the stomach & eye diseases & welcomed
by local people. Of these hot springs, the choluka
Hot Spring is exclusive for the Dalai lamas of various
historical stages. The hot springs in Oiga boast beautiful
sceneries & a unique local folkore. In the spring
& summer, flocks of people comes her for bathing.
Kanggardo Mountain
The Kanggardo Mountain in Cona County is 7,060 meters
(23156ft) above sea level. Covered by snow year round,
the topogaraphy is lower in southern section &
higher in northern section. Its main peak is surrounded
by dozens of peaks with an elevation of more than
6,000 meters (19680ft).
Changzhug Monastery
Standing by the highway on the east bank of the Yalong
River in Nedong County, Shannan Prefecture, &
this monastery was built in the seventh century &
has been repaired in various historical periods. A
legend says after Songtsan Gambo established its capital
in Lhasa.
NGALI
Lake Manasarovar
Lake Manasarovar is located in West Tibet, between
Mount Kailash and Gurla Mandhata Range. For Hindus,
Manasarovar floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash
as the lake formed in the mind of God. It was created
to show the omnipotence of Brahma’s mind, Manas.
Tibetans name it as Mapham Tso, which means ‘the
Unconquerable lakes.
CHAMDO
Jampaling Monastery
This monastery was founded during the mind period
by a disciple of Tsongkap after Tsongkapa’s
religious reform in Tibet. The main relic is the statue
of the Jampa (the Future Buddha) from which the name
of the monastery, Jampaling is derived. The monastery
is the largest of the Gelugpa Se4ct monasteries in
the Chamdo region & is divided into five colleges;
the Lingtod, Lingme, Nupling, Kuchuk, & Chagra–Khapa.
Famous all over Tibet, Jampaling Monastery had thirteen
successive abbots, until it was taken over by the
reincarnations of Pagpa-la, starting from the Third
Pagpa-la, Thongwa Dondan
NYANGCHI
On the lower reaches of the Yarlung Zangbo River in
southeast Tibet, Nyicgchi is some 3,000 meter (9840ft)
above sea level. It has a moist weather & a beautiful
natural scene. The Monba & Lhoba ethnic people
living here have their own unique habits & customs.
The Namjagbarwa Peak, the world known Yarlung Zangbo
Canyon, the Lake Pagsum Co, Zayu & Bome attract
tourists from home & abroad with their unique
natural sceneries.
Huge Cypress Forest in Nyingchi
The Huge Cypress Nature Reserve in Baji Town, Nyingchi
County, is a complete forest of huge cypress trees.
Among these cypress trees, one is 46 meters (150ft)
tall & is about 2000-2500 years old by inference
& is respected as the sacred tree by the local
people.
Lake RA’og Co
The lake is more than 3,800 meter (12464ft) above
seal level, & is 26 km long & one or five
km wide. On its bank grows ancient Salix mongolica.
The Parlung Zangbo River originates from her. Around
the lake are green pasture & fields, like an area
in the south of the Yangtze River.
Peach Blossom Valley
Some five km to the southeast of Byicgchi county seat,
it is a wild peach forest. Surrounded by mountain
in three sides, the valley has water running down
form the mountains. I have green verdant trees, fragrant
flower & singing birds everywhere. The valley
is a good place for purifying your hearts.
Basumoto Lake
Basumoto Lake is in Nyingchi. Which has a length of
15kms and width of 25kms. Incase one takes a walk/trek
around the lake it would take about 10 hours.
NAGQU
Nagqu Great Pasture in North Tibet
Having an elevation of more than 4500 meters (14760ft),
Nagqu is located on the famous North Tibet Plateau.
It is 338 km from Lhasa & at the juncture of the
Qinghai- Tibet Highway, northern section of the Sichuan
– Tibet Highway & Heihe Highway. Nagqu has
good transport facilities & a unique landscape.
The ancient Yamtung culture site, the Bon monasteries,
the Holy Lake Nam Co & the life of the highland
herdsmen are unique tourist attractions.
Nyainqentaglha
Extending for 600km, this mountain is the line of
demarcation between the Yrlung Zangbo River &
the Nujiang River. The 7,162 meter (23941ft) high
main peak stands in Damxung County & is surrounded
by more than 30 peaks being more than 6,000 meters
(19680ft) high, of which four are more than 7,000
meters (22960ft) high.
Lake Nam Co
Nam Co is the highest lake in the world & is 4,718
meters (15475ft) above sea level. It is 72 km long
from east to west & 30km wide from south to north.
It has an area of 1,940 square km. some 60 km to the
northwest of Damxung County seat; it is one of the
three holy lakes in Tibet & receives high respects
among the local people. On the Tibetan year of sheep,
pilgrims from faraway come here to walk around the
lake. It takes more than 10 days to circle the lake
once.
Tanggula Mountain
Tanggula Mountain is the boundary of Tibet Autonomous
Region & Qinghai province & stands in the
middle section of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Its main
peaks are more than 6,000 meters (19680ft) above sea
level. The highest Geladandong peak is 6,621 meters
(21716ft) above seal level. The Tanggula Mountain
is the place of origin of the Yangtse River.
Dodoka Skull Wall
In Caqu Township in Biru County, Nagqu prefecture,
the Dodoka Wall is built wit more than 1,000 human
skulls with an area of 30 square meters (98ft).
NGARI
Ngari Top of the Roof of the world
In the western part of Tibet, Ngari has an average
elevation of more than 4,500 meters (14760ft) &
is famous as the top of the roof of the world. The
area has many lakes but less people & is a paradise
of wild yaks, Pantholops hodgsoni, Mongolian gazelle,
wild donkeys & other kinds of wildlife.
Guge Kingdom
The Guge Kingdom is a wonder of Ngari. In the mid-nine
century, the Tubo imperial court came to an end. The
offspring of the King Namdam established their own
kingdoms & Gyede Nyimagong became the king of
Ngari. The second son of his three sons occupied Zarang
& established the Guge Kingdom. In the main ruins
of the Guge kingdom in Zarang, the destroyed city
wall & the natural earthen forests exist harmoniously.
More than 400 houses & 800 caves scatter on the
300 meter (984ft) high mountain slope. As the capital
of the Guge Kingdom, the Zarang Ruins cover an area
of 720,000 square meters (2361600ft). It is the second
largest building complex in Tibet next to the Potala
palace.
Ghost Lake La’nga Co
Next to the Sacred Lake Mapam yumco, Lake La’nga
Co is famous as the Ghost Lake. But water in the Lake
Mapam Yumco is fresh & that in the Lake La’nga
Co is a little salty. Ghost lake was connected with
the sacred lake. Later they separated as the water
decreased & water surface dropped. But there is
still a small river to link them together.
Zanda Earthen Forests
The organic movement of the Himalayas has made the
bottom of the lake ascend. & the undulating earthen
forest of dozens of km were formed by the flushing
of water subsidence & long years of weathering.
Walking in these narrow earthen forest as if a walk
in the ruins of an ancient kingdom, desolate but magnificent.
QAMDO
A Bright Pearl in East Tibet
Qamdo is a beautiful, vast & rich area in the
valleys of Jinsha, Nujaiang & Lancang River at
the top of Hengduan Mountain. It attracts tourist
form home & abroad with its wonderful mountains,
rivers, dense forests, historical sites & simple
local folklore.
Champalin Monastery
One of the biggest monasteries in the U areas, it
was built by Xerb Songbo, a disciple of zonggaba,
leader of the Yellow sect, in 1444. The main living
Buddha of the monastery received titles of nobility
offered by the Qing imperial court. Until today, the
monastery houses a bronze seal offered by the Qing
Emperor Kangxi to the living Buddha Pebala & a
horizontal board with an inscription by the Qing Emperor
Qianlong. Also the monastery houses many statues of
Buddha, murals & Thangkas, which are of a high
value for appreciation.
Village of painters
Garma is famous as the village of painters. It has
a history of more than 800 years in painting Thangka
pictures & murals. Painters from this village
established the Gardeng Garzhub painting school, which
is created by local painters.
Hongla Mountain Ecological Tourist Area
A nature reserve of the Tibet Autonomous Region, it
has an average elevation of 2,300–4,400 meters
(7544-14432ft). It is habitat of some 200 rare golden
monkeys, which are close to their extinct in the world.
The scenery of three dimensional ecology is magnificent
& tourists can appreciate snow-clad mountains,
forests, golden monkeys, canyons, peaks & deep
valleys.
