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Tibbet
DREPUNG
MONASTERY
Situated to the west of Lhasa city it was founded in 1416 by one of
the disciples of Tsong Khapa. It was the largest and richest of the
three major yellow sect Monasteries in Lhasa.
GUTSUO
(14,200 ft.) is a military base camp situated at the start of the
plateau. After passing through the Thongla Pass (16,400 ft.) a most
panoramic view of the northern face of the Himalayan range unfolds. The
best view of Mt. Everest and its neighbouring peaks can be seen from the
road at Gutsuo. Accommodation here would be in tented camps or at the
barracks itself.
GYANTSE
(13,050 ft.) is a small agricultural town famous for its wool
carpets and the Palkhor Choide Chorten. Amongst the Lamasery and the
fort, this unique structure buit in 1414 consists of five storeys
representing the five steps to enlightnments, topped by thirteen rings
which symbolise the stages of advancement toward Buddhahood. There are
108 halls inside, each with frescoes and Buddha Shrines, the frecoes
showing a strong Indian influence. Beforee 1959 traders coming from
Kalimpong and Gangtok (India) used to entre Tibet through Yadong and
then to Gyantse, enroute to Lhasa.
JOKHANG TEMPLE
Jokhant temple built in 647 A.D is the spiritual centre of Tibet and
the holiest destination, Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It houses the
sitting statue of Sakyamuni when he was 12 years old.Barkhor Bazzar is
the oldest street of ancient Lhasa city, circling the Jokhang Temple.
LHASA
(11,850 ft.) was, and still is the religious, cultural and economic
centre of Tibet. Places of interest include the Potala, the 13 storey,
1000 room palace of the Dalai Lama; the monasteries of Drepung and sera,
the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka; and the jokhang, the
holiest shrine of tibet. the circular Barkhor Street with innumerale
shops and wayside peddlers interminglewih the devotes
LHAZE
(13,100 ft.) is situated at the crossroads from where the roads
turns westwards towards Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake. During the
short summer season, the whole valley is covered with green barley
fields and bright-yellow mustard, and is a welcome change after the
barren lands of the Tibetan Plateau. There is also a small, hot spring
located a few kilometers away.
NAGARJE
(14,300 ft.) is a settlement by the shores of Yamdrok Lake. This
freshwater lake, unlike other Tibetan lakes, is sweet and non-saline,
extending lakes, extending for 624 sq km, in the shape of the two
pincers of a large scorpion. During summer, it is turquoise green in
colour, but during winter it has a thick crust of ice over it. It is
abundant in fish and migratory birds can be seen in its vicinity. At a
mountain pass at of 16,000 ft, enroute Nagarje one can see, even in
summer, the holy pin-pointed glacier.
NYALAMO
(12,200 ft.) known as `Kuti' to Nepalese traders, used to be an
important trade post tucked into a fertile valley. Now a days, barrack
style Chinese communes surround the typical old flat roofed mud-brick
houses. Although vegetation is sparse, one can see an abundance of
alpine fauna on the hillside during the summer months.
POTALA PALACE
Potala palace, located on the Red Hill, was built in 640 AD during
the reign of Songtan Gampo. The original potala was destroyed in the 9th
century but was rebuilt in the 17th century, during the regin of the 5th
Dalai Lama.
SERA MONASTERY
Sera means Hailstone in Tibetan. set on the foot of the Wudu hill to
the north of Lhasa city, Sera comprises of a great sutra chanting hall a
college and 32 sections.
XEGAR
(13,800 ft.) is a new Chinese commune bilt ata the foot of the ruins
of Xegar Dzong, and is 7 kms from the main road. With a population of
3000, its importance lies in the fact that it is the centre of this
large and remote country and also a base from where expeditions to Mt.
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