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At the Sera Monastery, on the outskirts of Lhasa, you can enjoy the daily debating classes every afternoon. A big number of monks come together and discuss their philosophical and religious standpoints. Each argument is stressed by clapping with your hands. Most of the times it is a one-on-one, sometimes there are two or even three monks discussing with only one opponent. In the end they reach a uniting conclusion.Really fascinating!
The following routine is highly recommended for travelling around Tibet.To Tibet(from mainland):Flight to Xining(the capitical city of Qinhai province) and take the train to Tibet. This will allow you to gradually adapt to the high lantitude(if you have any worry or concern to this). Out Tibet(to mainland)Chuan Zang Road:There are lots of travellers looking for partners in Lasha. Fortunately, we found two local Chengdu travellers whom are willing to share their landcruiser (price can be neogotiated). It can take around 7 - 8 days to drive from Lasha to Chengdu(as we stopped in different locations). We drive on ChuanZhang Road(connecting Tibet and Sichuan province) and enjoy fabulous sceneary on the road (it's more recommended as different kinds scenary can be viewed on the road).DianZang Road:You can also choose to drive through DianZang Road(connecting Tibet and Yunan province).XinZang...
Jokhang Temple is a must place to visit during your stay in Lhasa (as well as the Potala Palace). It is located in the Tibetan part of the city, called Barkhor, which in Tibetan means eight corners because of the octagonal form that make the streets surrounding Jokhang Temple.If you go very early in the morning to Jokhang Temple, the entry is free (for Tibetans the entrance is always free) because the porter is still sleeping, otherwise you have to pay, but in compensation they will give you a DVD with the history of the temple (mine did not work when I reached home!).You should climb to the golden roof of the fourth floor, from where you will get excellent views over Barkhor and the stalls of the market.The temple is always very active with Tibetans making their prayers and prostrating themselves on the floor repeatedly.
Shigatse is the second biggest city in Tibet and capital of the Tsang Province. The main highlight of this place is the magnificent Tashilhunpo Monastery. It is one of the six great Gelugpa monasteries and home of the Panchen Lama - who is, by the way still hidden by the Chinese. Situated at the foot of Drölma Ri, there is also a nice Kora (or pilgrimage) around the monastery possible. Dont miss it, since you will have a great view over the huge monastery and the complete city of Shigatse. On the end of the Kora you reach the old town of Shigatse - this is how Shigatse might have been 50 years ago. But the new part hardly differs from an average Chinese town......
Gyantse is a little town (the third biggest in Tibet though) dominated by the Gyantse Dzong from the top of a mountain. From far away you can see the Dzong reigning from the peak over this part of the fertile Nyang-Chu valley. The main attraction is the Pelkor Chöde Monastery with its Kumbum Chörten, the largest Chörten in Tibet.
Tingri actually consists of some 5 houses spread along the old trade route, now called Friendship Highway. Today´s reason of beeing are the tourist stops on their ralley from Kathmandu to Lhasa and the chance of a frist glimpse on the BIG one, the Mt. Everest.We had the pleasure to stay here for a couple of hours due to a blocked road. Ok, this desciption does not really sound like a dream place to stay, but the countryside with its landscapes really are nice.
Since cough and fever stopped me from starting the Everest Trek in Nepal, I got a second chance to see it from the ground (from the plane on the way to Bhutan I saw it before, but that is not by "fair" means;-). We stood for ours in Tingri watching the Mt. Everest hiding behind clouds (hours, because the road was closed due to rebuilding anyway). Even if the was no perfect view on it, the scene of this montain range is incredibly fascinating!Later, shortly behind Tingri Monsieur Forclaz from Switzerland took this picture and did not forget to send it to me. Mr. Forclaz deserves all the credit for capturing this beautiful moment!Merci Beaucoup!
This is a nice Kora (or pilgrimage) around the monastery that goes up a little bit on the foot of Drölma Ri mountain. Dont worry, it is an easy walk - no comparison to the high Kora of Ganden (another tip). Dont miss this Kora, since you will have a great view over the huge monastery and the complete city of Shigatse.
Right opposite of the Potala Palace, left hand if you are looking towards the Potala, there is a nice outlook from the foot of the Chagpo Ri. Enjoy it!By the way, do you see the spycam in the right corner of the first pic? Big brother is watching you! Welcome to China ;-)
I did the Kora around the monastery in 2006 - it is a great experience, you pass along the skyburriel rocks, minor temples and hermitages and great rock carvings. But sometimes you have to climb like a goat, so it can get really exhausting! I once lost the track, it got smaller and smaller untill I realized that this was just a goat way......
House of Shambhala Lhasa
3 Reviews and 20 Opinions I love House of Shambhala since the moment I stepped in. It is exactly what I had on mind. Rustic,...
Gyantse Hotel Gyangze
2 Reviews and 24 Opinions The hotel's official rating is ***, which did mean it was pretty basic - and so it was (it would not...
Kyichu Hotel (Jiqu Fandian) Lhasa
1 Review and 60 Opinions I stayed at this hotel in February 2007. The beds were hard, but that's normal in China. They had...
Reviews and photos of Tibet attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Tibet sightseeing.
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Q: Hi there! Me and my friend would like to got to Tibet Mid-August. Since we are both AUSTRIAN we are currently looking for two to...
A: Just reading the news two monks burned themselves alive in front of the Jokhang temple In Lhasa one died. Protesting against the Chinese occupation.
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