Himalayan Holidays Nepal

PLACES OF INTEREST IN TIBET

• Tsedang
  No tour of Tibet is complete without a visit to Tsedang, situated 190 km Southeast of Lhasa in the Yarlung Valley along the banks of the Tsangpo River (Bramhaputra), the cradle of Tibetan civilizations.
• Yambulankhang
  Situated about 12 km south of Tsedang, it is the first palace built by the Tibetans for their first recorded King Nyatri Tsenpo, who is believed to have descended from heaven. It is a 5 story fortress-like dwelling built on the spur of a hill 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 in 1982.
• Trandrunk Monastery
  Famous for its Pearl Thanka bearing the portrait of Avalokiteshwor (chenrez) made of 30,000 pearls.
• CHONGGYE
  In a valley, 30 kms south of tsedang lie the famous tombs of the early Kings of Tibet. Among the numerous tombs there, the biggest and the most distinguishable one is that of King Songtsen Gompo the foremost King of Tibet.
• SAMYE
  Samye lies about 88 kms from Gonggar Airport (approx. 2 hours drive)across the Tsangpo River. It is the first monastery built by King Trisong Detsen in the latter part of the 8th century. Samye Monastery combines 3 distinctive architectural styles that of India, China and Tibet symbolizes the source, stability and spread of the Buddhist faith. With the building of this monastery, the community of monks began Cross the Tsangpo River on ferry (1 hour). Upon arrival on the other side, the drive to Samye will be in local trucks or tractors.
• POTOLA PALACE
  This legendary palace built atop a single hill is synonymous with Tibet, which was expanded to its present structure during the 17th century by the 5th Dalai Lama. This 13 storey, 1000 room citadel served as the headquarters of the former “church-state- of Tibet” as was home to successive Dalai Lama who, from the latter half of the 18th century, used it as their winter palace to reside.
• Lhasa
  "Lhasa" the capital of Tibet at an altitude of 3650 m, is situated on the north bank of the Kyichu River. Lhasa in Tibetan means "Place of the Gods". As Tibet’s political, religious and cultural center, it is a city truly blessed by the God with jovial people, where life is unhurried and yet remaining staunchly independent.
• DREPUNG MONASTERY
  Drive 8 kms west of Lhasa to Drepung Monastery. Said to be the largest monastery in the world housing over 10,000 monks, it was founded in 1416 by the disciple of Te Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The second, third and the fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. Drepung in Tibetan means ‘Richmond’.
• JOKHANG MONASTERY
  Situated in the heart of old Lhasa, it houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, a golden Shankyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift by the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gompo. Surrounded the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor market place which id the religious and social focus of Lhasa. This, the spiritual centre of Tibet, is also the heart of Lhasa.
• GANDEN MONASTERY
  Lying 40 kms east of Lhasa (approx. 2 hours drive) built by Tsong Kha Pa, founder of the Gelugpa order and is one of the biggest and most important Gelugpa monastery in Tibet. In 1959, more than 5,000 monks lived and studied here but were soon after dispersed. Today, most of the building remains in ruins.
• SERA MONASTERY
  5 kms (3 miles) north of Lhasa. Sera setting are one of Lhasa’s prettiest. Once a community of more than 5,000 monks, it was a virtually extinguished by the Chinese. The restored monastery sits below the brow of hill on which Tsongkhapa built a hermitage and spent several years meditating. One of the monk’s disciples began building Sera in 1419, completing it a few years later.
• THE NORBULINGKHA
  The 'Jewel Park' as it is know in Tibetan, was built in the 18th century and served as the Summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas. This colourful garden landscape was the site of picnic and public gatherings. The places are richly decorated, creating an atmosphere of Peaceful repose.
• YAMDROK TSO OR TURQUOISE LAKE
  A lake of a glaring blue that radiates a near mystical charm. It is about 240 kms in circumference and is more like an Island sea. There are Yak herders around and the lake itself supports a population of scale less fish in its non-saline waters. It is about 124 kms from Lhasa.
• GYANGTSE
  Is a pastoral town between Lhasa and Xigatse. It is 264 km Southwest of Lhasa (8 hours drive). 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 British Expedition to Tibet, defeated the Tibetan army there. As a cross-road on the principle trade route to India, it used to be renowned for the excellence of its carpets. The compound, encircled by an impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries, presided over by the still intact fortress perched atop a nearby mountain.
• KUMBUM
  It is one of the unique and magnificent buildings in Tibet consisting of 6 storeys complete with a Buddhists Hall and a prayer hall. It has 112 chapels and its walls are adorned with religious paintings. Built in the 15th century, it has withstood all battles and revolutions since.
• THE PELKHOR CHODE MONASTERY
  Located near the Khumbum, it was founded in the 15th century. It has been remarkably well preserved and many of the statues and paintings inside it date back to the time of its founding.
• XIGATSE
  Is the second largest town in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, lying 354km west of Lhasa at an altitude of 3810 m.
• TASHILHUNPO MONASTERY
  Founded in 1447 by Gendun Drup, the first Dalai Lama. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama who is second to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhist Hierarchy. The 5th Dalai Lama in declared that his teacher, then the Abbot of Tashilhunpo, who a manifestation of the Buddha Amitabha and the Pancen Rinpochhe. Tashilhunpo has one of the world’s largest status - a 9 storied gilded bronze statue of Maitriya, the future Buddha.
• SAKYA MONASTERY
  Sakya lies 143 km to the southwest of Xigatse. Konchok Gyalpo founded Sakya Monastery; the centre of the sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, in 1073 during the rule of Sakyapas the priest patron relationship between Tibet and China was established. Sakyapa rulers reigned over Tibet for nearly a hundred years from 13-14th century. Many of its priceless images, fresco statues, holy scriptures remaining today date back to the time of its founding.
• XEGAR
  Also called New Tingri, surrounded by Mountains, is another town that lies in the shadow of a great fortress. Even in ruins it is majestic. Seeming to grow out of the craggy brown rock, its sinuous wall bristles with watchtowers like stegosaurus spines. Isolated in 1855 by Marauding Nepalese in search of booty, the Gurkhas cut off the dzong’s water supply and settled in for a long siege. Shegar proper has little to recommend it except the highest post office in China.
• ZHANGMU
  Known to Nepali as Khasa, hangs on a cliff face, its boom town architecture having a temporary look: even the monastery roofs are sheathed in corrugated iron sheets.
• RONGBUK MONASTERY AND EVERST BASE CAMP
  Rongbuk monastery is hidden behind a series of mountain ranges in a high and isolated valley in the southern Tibet at an altitude of 5032 meters. The monastery and its surroundings are dominated by Mt. Everest, which is known as Chomolungma "Mother Goddess of Earth" by the local Tibetans.
• MOUNT KAILASH AND LAKE MANSAROVER
  Mount Kailash and Lake Mansarover, situated in southern Tibet is considered the most sacred spot and its legendary reputation to Hindus and Buddhists are alike. Mt. Kailash, 6,675m. rock pyramid is the adobe of the Gods and the earthly manifestation of the mythical Mount Mera-"Pillar of the Universe". Similarly Lake Mansarover at 14,950 feet is said to be the highest fresh water lake in the world. Since ages, many hermits and pilgrims have been undertaking journeys to this sacred and the holiest of all Mt. Kailash and Lake Mansarovar in the wake of its religious and mythological importance, which continues even today.