Places To See In Tibet

Potala Palace


The Potala, one of the most famous architectural works, is erected on top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The word "Potala" comes from Sanskrit. In 7th century, after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo's marriage with Princes Wencheng of the Tang Court, the Palace was built for meditation. In the mid -17th century, it was rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama to its present size, and ever since it became the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction took fifty years from its beginning to completion. The Potala is divided into two sections, namely, the Red Palace and White Palace. The total height of the Potala is 117m which is built in thirteen storeys, the length of the Potala from east to west has 400m and the breadth from south to north has 350m. The whole building is a structure of stone and timber. ream of Tibetan culture and complex of Tibetan and Han culture.


Lhasa


The capital of Tibet, at an altitude of 3650m, is situated on the north of bank of Kyichu River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo river. Lhasa in Tibetan means " Place of the Gods" and Potala Palace, the Residence of Dalai Lama ( The God King), is the earthly representation of the celestial Palace of Avaloketeswora, The Buddha of infinite compassion whose ncarnation in the human form is believed to be the Dalai Lama. It is a city truly blessed by the gods where life is unburied.


Tsedang


No tour of Tibet is complete without a visit to Tsedang, situated 170km Southeast of Lhasa in the Yarlung Valley along the banks of the Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra) The cradle of Tibetan civilization. This region abounds with important historical landmarks such as Samye, Yumbulkhangm Chonggye, Mindroling and others.


YAMBULAKHANG PALACE: Situated about 12 km south of Tsedang, Si the first palace built by the Tibet and for their first recorded king Nyatri Tsedpo, who is believed to have descended from heaven. It is a 05 storied fortress-like dwelling built on the spur of a bill that commands an impressive view of the entire fertile valley. It was destroyed during the cultural revolution and the present structure is an exact replica of the original rebuilt 1982.


SAMYE MONASTERY : Lies about 40km to the west of Tsedang across the Tsangpo River. It is the first monastery built by King Trisong Detsen in the latter part of the 08 the century. Samye Monastery combines 03 distinctive architectural styles that of India, China and Tibet, symbolizing the source, stability and spread of the Buddhist faith. With the building of this monastery, the community of monks began.


Gyantse


Is a pastoral town between Lhasa and Shigatse. It is 264km South west of Lhasa. It still retains the charm of a traditional Tibetan town untouched by modern expansion. It made world headlines in 1904 when colonel Young Husband, who led a British expedition to Tibet, defeated the Tibetan army there. As a crossroads on the principle trade route to India, it used to be renowned for the excellence of the carpets. The compound, encircled by an impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries, presided over by the still intact fortress Perched a top a nearby mountain.


Shigatse


The town of Shigatse (Xigaze) is called "Center of Rear Tibet", sits at the confluence of Nyangchu and Yarlung Tsangbo Rivers about 250 kilometers to the west of Lhasa. This second largest city in Tibet at an elevation of 3,800 meters has a history of more than five centuries. The region around is historically known as the Rear Tibet and Shigatse has been its political, business, cultural and religious center. The residence for all the Panchen Lamas has been traditionally in the town.


The city located between altitude 29°2' north and longitude 88°8' east, with a population of 70,000. The annual rainfall is 300 to 450 mm, the average annual temperature is 6°C and the frost-free period is 160 days.


Shigatse region enjoys a moderate climate with plenty of sunshine. The fertile river valley is one of the granaries of Tibet. The town proper has undergone a construction boom with roads leading to Ngari in the west, the Qomolangma Nature Reserve and border with Nepal in the south, Nakchu to the north and Lhasa and Shannan to the east.


The ancient town of Shigatse has become well-known for its past and rich cultural tradition with Palcho, Sakya, Pingcuolin and Juenang monasteries and Pala Estate as well as the Qomolangma Nature Reserve covering an area of over 30,000 square kilometers in the nearby region. The annual ceremony of display of Buddha tapestry, the Sorcerer's Dance Festival, the Ximuqingpo Festival at the Shalu Monastery and the active local Tibetan theater are popular attractions to visitors. With its rich cultural tradition, majestic monasteries, breath-taking scenery and convenient location, Shigatse has become on of the most popular tourist destination in Tibet.


Tingiri / Zangbu


Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mt. Everest, meaning Mother Goddess of the Universe in Tibetan, is the highest peak in the world. Standing at 8848 meters (29028 feet), snow capped throughout the year, she lies at the border between China and Nepal. The North Col of Everest is located in Tinggri (Shegar). Massive glaciers and seracs feature a thrilling splendor. The peak has been a holy climbing attraction for world's mountaineers. In recent years, more and more mountaineers start from the Everest Base Camp trying to conquer the world's highest peak while tourists trek to the foot of the peak to enjoy its beauty.


Starting 30 kilometers (20 miles) south from New Tinggri, one will reach a checkpoint. 11 kilometers (7miles) west of the checkpoint, a new road and an old one turn off south to Everest Base Camp. A 78-kilometer (48-mile) trek leads to Rongbuk Monastery, which is the highest monastery on the earth. Its altitude is 5,100 meters (16728 feet). The monastery was founded in 1899, as a Nyingmapa monastery, it was said that once Padmasambhava, founder of Nyingmapa, proceeded his religious cultivation here. The monastery, having 8 sub-monasteries including a nunnery, was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution, is gradually being restored. It houses Lamas and nuns in the same monastery. Sakyamuni and Padmasambhava are enshrined in the small temple. Pilgrims treks a long way to pay votive offerings or see lamas playing operas during big Buddhist days.