Tibet >Places to See in Tibet >

Lhasa (11850 ft):
It is the capital city of Tibet at an altitude of 3,650 meters, is situated on the northern banks of the Kyichu River. Lhasa in Tibetan means "Palace of Gods", is the former residence of the Dalai Lama. It is still is, the religious, cultural, and economic center of Tibet. Potala Palace : The Potala is considered one of the great wonders of the world. this legendary palace, built a top a single hill(3000m) is synonymous with Tibet It is held sacred by Tibetans as the former residence of successive Dalai Lamas, and is one of Tibet's most holy pilgrimage sites. A palace was originally built in the 7th century by King Songtsen Gampo, and was believed to have been nine stories high and was destroyed by a big fire. The present Potala Palace was constructed by the great fifth Dalai Lama in the 17th century after he became ruler of Tibet. The Potala Palace is divided into two sections, the White Palace (completed in 1653) and Red palace (completed 1694). It has more than one thousand rooms and is thirteen stories high. The White Palace was secular in nature and mainly used for government administration, whilst the Red palace was mainly used for religious functions and still has numerous chapels, including those containing reliquary stupas of the successive Dalai Lamas which are richly decorated in gold, silver and semi-precious stones.

Norbulinkha Palace:
The “Jewel Pard’ as it is known in Tibetan, was built in the 18th century and served as the summer palace of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas. The palace is an interesting mixture of religious and modern elements and as we walk through to see the main hall, an audience hall, The Dalai Lam’s bed room and prayer room and the room for his mother. This colorful garden landscape was the site of picnic and public gatherings. The palaces are richly decorated, creating an atmosphere of peaceful repose.

Sera Monastery:
It used to be the second largest of all the monasteries in Tibet. “Sera” Enclosure of Wild rose was founded in 1419 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa. At its peak, it housed over 7000 monks and was famous for its warrior monks the “Dob-Doa”. In Ngawa chanting hall and see the remarkable murals in the drezme colleges chanting hall.

Jokhang Temple Situated in the heart of old lahasa, houses which was brought a s gift by the Chinese princes Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gomp. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor market place which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa.

Drepung Monastery:
Dreppung lines 8 km. west of Lhasa on the main road, then 3 km north and steep unpaired road. Its name Drepung means “Rice Heap”, was the biggest and the richest of all the monasteries in Tibet. This monastery is said to be the largest monastery in the world, housing over 10000 monks and governed 7700 subsidiary monastries and was divided into four colleges, each with its chanting hall, dormitories, kitchens and offices. It was founded in 1416 by the disciple of Je Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow hat Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. the second, third and fourth Dalai lama lived and were entombed here. The entire monastic communities assemble only for special cere monies and festivals. Today, about 400 monks lived there. Approaching Drepung, you will see the Nechung Temple, The home of the State Oracle the present oracle lives in India.

Barkhor Market:
Walk along the Barkhor street that circles the Jolkhan and you are in the heart of the old Lhasa with its narrow streets white – washed stone homes, windows framed in black and brightly painted woodwork and almost everyone has got something to sell over there. T surphu (Tuling Churba Gompa), lies northwest of lhasa, just off the main Lhasa.

Zangmu (7,000 ft) :
The place is better known by its Tibetan name Khasa, It is a small settlement clinging to hillside 10 kilometers inland from the Friendship bridge across the Bhotekoshi river. After the closure of the China /India boarder from Gangtok, Zangmu has become the major trading post between Tibet & Nepal.

Nyalam (12 200 ft):
is known as ‘Kuti’ to Nepalese traders, used to be an important trade post tucked into a fertile valley.

Gutsuo (14,200Ft.):
is a military base camp situated at the start of the Tibetan Plateau. After passing through the Thongla pass (16,400 ft), from where the most panoramic view of the Northern face of he Himalayan ranges unfolds. The best view of Mt. Everest and its neighboring peaks can be seen from the road at Gutsuo.

Xigatse (12,600 ft.):
is most famous for its Tashilhunpo Monastery the seat of Panchen Lama, who is regarded as the re-incarnation of the Buddha of endless enlightenment. Things inside the monastery built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama are, the relics of Shakyamuni the hall of Maitreya and a mind boggling collection of thankas, Frescoes and statues. Xigatse is the second largest town in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, lying 254 Kms west of Lhasa.

Sakya Monastery :
It lies 143 Km to the southwest of Sigatse. Sakya Monastery is the center of the Shakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, was founded in1073 by Knochok Gyalpo. During the rule of the Sakyapas the priest patron relationship between Tibet and China was established. Sakyapa rulers resigned over Tibet for nearly a hundred years from 13th – 14th century. many of lists priceless images, frescos, statues holy scriptures remaining today date back to the time of its founding.

Gyangtse (13050 ft):
is a small agricultural town between Lhasa and Shigatse famous for its woolen carpets and the Palkhor Choide Chorten among the Lamasery &. the fort , this unique structure built in 1414 consists of 5 storeys representation the five steps to enlightenment, topped by 13 rings which symbolizes the stage of advancement towards Buddha Hood. There are 108 halls inside, each with frescoes and Buddha Shrines, the frescoes showing a strong influence of India. It made the world headlines in 1904 when colonel Young Husband, who led a British expedition to Tibet, defeated the Tibetan army there.

Nagarje (14,300 ft):
is a settlement by the shores of Yamdrok Lake. this fresh water lake, unlike other Tibetan lakes, is sweet and non- saline, extending for 6-4 square kilometers in the shape of the two pincers of a large scorpion. During summer it is turquoise green in color. but during winter it has a thick crust of ice over it. It is abundant in fish and migratory birds can be seen it its vicinity. At a mountain Pass at of 1600 ft, in route Nagarje one can see even in summer the holy pinpointed glacier.

TseDang (12000 ft):
is 220 kms south of Lhasa is located in the Yarlung valley . No tour of Tibet is complete with out a visit to Tsedang. This region abounds with important historical landmarks such a Samye, Yumbulkhangm chonggye, mindroling and others. Samye monastery was built in the 8th century by Padmasambhava (lotus born guru), the great disciple of Buddha himself, and is the oldest in Tibet.

Yambulakhang Palace:
Situated about 12 km south of Tsedang, is the first palace built by the Tibetans for their first recorded King Nyatri Tsedpo, who is believed to have descended from heaven. It was destroyed during the cultural revolution and the present structure is an exact replica of the original rebuilt 1982. Lake Namtso ( 15400 ft) also known as “ the Heaven lake” is the Tibet’s largest salt water lake having a surface area of 1940 square kms. and it is estimated to take approximately 18 days to circumnutated.

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