Main Attractions in Tibet
Tibet is known as the "Roof of the world" and "The Third Pole" on earth. Its average height is more than 4000 meters above teh sea level. The plateau is full of mountains, rivers and lakes which offer a spectacular landscape that one could hardly see anywhere else. In addition, local people consisting mostly of the Tibetans, Monbans and Lhobans have cultivated very unique ethnic traditions, folklore and ways of life. Travelling in Tibet at least once in a life time is a dream of many travelers. Here is some information introducing main attractions in Tibet but in fact there are much more..For a tour most suits your time and interest, please consult us on line or email us to get help from our professional Tibet travel advisors.
- Lhasa - Capital of Tibet
- Tsedang - Cradle of Tibetan Civilization
- Gyantse - A Historic Town of Tibet
- Shigatse - Second Largest City in Tibet
- Ngari – Southwestern Tibet
- Nagqu - Northern Tibet
- Chamdo - Northestern Tibet
- Nyingchi - Eastern Tibet
Lhasa - Capital of Tibet
Lhasa City
Lhasa, capital of Tibet
Autonomous Region is located on the north bank of Lhasa
River, a sub branch of Yarlung Tsangpu River. Standing at
3,648m above sea level, it gets 3021 hours of sunshine annually
and thus also named "Sunlit City". "Lhasa" means "Holy Land"
in Tibetan language. Since Songtsan Ganpu, one of Tibetan
Kings established his capital here in 7th century, Lhasa
has then acted as the center of Tibet politics, economy,
culture, transport and religion. It is definite that we should
not miss Lhasa and the main attractions there listed below in our travelling in Tibet.
Potala Palace
Potala Palace is the
essence of ancient Tibetan architectural art and a symbol
of Tibetan people's wisdom and power. It is located on the
western part of Lhasa City. In 641, Songtsan Ganpu decided
to build this grand palace for his wife – Princess Wencheng
of Tang dynasty. However, it was later destroyed by some
lightening strike and warfare in Landama's reign. Only in
17th century, the Fifth Dalai Lama rebuilt it. And then
The Thirteenth Dalai Lama expanded it to today's scale -
more than 117 meters high and 360 meters wide.
Standing on the top of Mt. Putup , Potala Palace looms over the entire
Lhasa city. In 1994, it was added to the list
of world cultural heritage sites by the United Nations Educational,
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Jokhang Temple
Located in the center
of the old Lhasa city, Jokhang Temple is the first monastery
for most pilgrims to visit as it is widely recognized as
the spiritual center of Tibetan Buddhism. The temple was built in
647. Every day you would see many pilgrims who trek a long distance from
other places of Tibet here worshiping Buddhis by prostrating to body's length.
Around the temple
is the famous Barkhor Street where you can get a close touch
with local Tibetan people .
Drepung Monastery
Drepunp Monastery is
the largest monastery in Tibet. At its peak time, there
were more than 10,000 monks. The monastery was founded in 15th century
at 5km to the western suburb of Lhasa, and once served as
the living palace of Dalai Lama before reconstruction of
Potala Palace. Here you can find great murals, Buddhist
scriptures and crafts, and also have a glimse of the Tibetan monks' daily life.
It is usually suggested to visit in the early morning time.
Gandan Monastery
Ganden Monastery is
the first Gelupga monastery in Tibet (Gelupga
is Pachen Lama and Dalai Lama's order). It was founded in
1409 in Taktse County, about 60 kilometers east of Lhasa.
There are extremely delicate murals and sculptures. In 1961,
it was listed as one of historical relics subject to state
protection by the State Council.
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Tsedang - Cradle of Tibetan Civilization
Samye Monastery
Samye Monastery was
built in 761 and is the first formal monastery that establishes
triratna in Tibet. Combining Chinese, Tibetan and Indian
architecture style, the structure reflects the ideal universe
of Buddhism. There are many valuable and unique murals which
hardly can be found anywhere else. Usually we will take
a ferry to visit it crossing the Yarlung Tsangpu River. Trekking
from Gandan Monastery to Samye Monastery is a very popular trekking / hiking
tour in Tibet.
Trandruk Monastery
Built in 7th century,
Trandruk Monastery is the first Buddhist chapel in Tibet.
It houses a precious pearl Thangka brought here by Princess
Wencheng. This Thangka is inlaid of thousands of pearls
and hundreds of other gems. Located 5 kilometers south of
Tsedang, the monastery is on the road leading to Yumbu Lakhang,
the first palace in Tibet. So when the time permits, we usually
arrange the visit to Trandruk Monastery and Yumbu Lakhang
on the same day.
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Gyantse - A Historic Town of Tibet
Yamdrok Yumtso Lake
Yamdrok Yumtso Lake is one of holy lakes in Tibet lying about 100
kilometers southwest of Lhasa. It is 4441 meters above sea
level. We usually drop a visit here on the way from Lhasa
to Gyantse. There are many islands providing homes to wild
ducks and geese. It is also called the "Fish Store of Tibet".
Pelkhor Monastery
At the foot of Dzong Hill nearby Gyantse, Pelkhor Monastery
is a very special monastery in Tibet. There are monks from
Gelugpa, Sakyapa and Kahdampa order living harmoniously
together although they quarreled and fought. It is famous
for the superb Kumbu Stupa built in 1412 and completed about ten years
later. In the stupa, there are 108 gates and 77 chapels. It is
a stunning archetecure wonder of Tibet.
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Shigatse - the Second Largest City in Tibet
Tashilumpo Monastery
Lying 2 kilometers west
of Shigatse City, Tashilumpo Monastery is the foremost attraction
there. Standing at the slope of Mt. Niser in terraced rows,
the monastery offers a grand and majestic view. The largest
sitting brass statue of Maitreya in the world is here in
one of its chapels.
Sakaya Monastery
Sakaya Monastery is also called the "Second Dunhuang" as it stores
numerous valuable art pieces. In addition to lots of statues
of Buddha, there are tens of thousands of sutras written
in gold powder. So it is also known as the greatest religious
library in Tibet. 130 kilometers southwest of Shigatse,
the monastery is divided into two parts by the Drum River.
However the northern monastery was left with nothing but
ruins from which you can still see what a splendid history
it ever had. The southern monastery is in good condition.
In 1961, the State Council cited it as one of the cultural
relic units subject to state protection.
Mt. Everest
Standing at 8,848.13
meters above sea level, Mt. Everest is the highest mountain
on earth. It is also called "Mt. Qomolangma" in Tibetan
language. The eternal snow at the peak, massive glaciers
and seracs make it such a natural splendor that every year,
many mountaineers and tourists from all over the world come
here to get a life-long experience with it.
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Ngari – Southwestern Tibet
Mt. Kailash
"Gang Rimpoche"
in Tibetan language, Mt. Kailash is the sacred mountain
in Buddhism, Hinduism and the local Bon faith. It is believed
that circumambulation around it can wash away one's sin. The
Kailash kora usually takes 3 days to complete. In the
year of horse in Tibetan calendar, many pilgrims come here
to conduct circumambulation as they believe that at this
time, one round will equal to 13 rounds in other normal
years.
Lake Manasarovar
Lying in front of Mt.
Kailash at 4,588 meters above sea level, Lake Manasarova
is one of the highest freshwater lake in the world and a
holy lake for Buddhism, Hinduism and the local Bon as well.
People who come to conduct circumambulation around the sacred
mountain usually will not miss visiting this lake as they
believe the holy water in it can cure all kinds of diseases.
The nearby Lake Rakshastal (La'nga Tso) connecting underground
with the holy lake is however a saltwater lake and called
"Ghost Lake". Though also beautiful in scenery, people may
fell weird while standing at the bank due to its strange
name.
Guge Kingdom Relics
Guge Kindom was founded
around tenth century by a descendant of King Lang Darma
who fled from Lhasa after the collapse of Tubo Kingdom.
It played an important role in the second renascence in
Tibet and survived for about 700 years before disappearing
mysteriously in the 17th century. The ruins lie on a hill
near a river and cover 180,000 square meters. At the hill top
are the palaces while the monasteries on the hill side
and cave dwellings for common people at the foot of
the hill. Murals, sculptures and stone inscriptions were
found in the surviving structures. They are of great artistic
and aesthetic value, especially the murals which are comparable
with that of Mogao Caves and probably the only traces of
the once glorious kingdom. After visiting here, you may
feel hard to imagine how such a grand castle was built and
existed for so many years in the remote Nagri area. Guge
Kingdom left too many mysteries to us…
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Nagqu - Northern Tibet
Lake Namtso
Located at 4,718 meters above sea level, Namtso is the highest saltwater
lake in the world and the second largest lake in China. In
Tibetan language, Namtso means "Heaven Lake". It is another
holy lake in Tibet. Beside the lake is the snow-capped Mt.
Nyianchentanglha. The beautiful beach is a natural pasture
for Tibetan nomad.
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Chamdo - Northeastern Tibet
Chambaling Monastery
Chambaling Monastery is located in Chamdo Town. It was founded by one
of Tsong Khapa's disciples in 1444. There are hundreds of
statues of Buddha, thousands of square meters of murals
and magnificent Thangka, representing the greatest local Kham
art.
Zezhol Monastery
Zezhol Monastery lies at the foot of Zezhol Hill, 37 kilometers
away from Dingqen County. It is one of the few largest Bon
monasteries existing in Tibet. Bon, an indigenous religion
once dominant in Tibet, retreated to untraversed regions
after its failure in religious contest with Buddhism. As
an important Bon center, Zezhol Monastery maintains the
most complete Bon religious rituals, particularly the naked
group dancing.
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Nyingchi - Eastern Tibet
Basumtso Lake
Lying 90 kilometers west of Gongbogyamda County, Basumtso Lake
is a stunning highland lake. It is a notable holy lake of
Nyingmapa order of Tibetan Budhism. Reflecting the picturesque
snow-capped peaks around, it offers a "Swiss Alps" like
scenery. In 1997, Basumtso Lake was listed by World Tourism Organization
as a world tourist site.
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