What comes to mind when you think of Tibet, world roof, magnificent monasteries, breathtaking plateau view, devout pilgrims, and unsophisticated folk walk? Tibet is, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable places to visit in the world. Everything attracts me.
Tibet is always my one of wishing list. On the last annual holiday (2018, November), I finally had a chance to explore the scared and mysterious place.
The Qinghai-Tibet Plateau is the largest and highest plateau in the world, with an average elevation of around 4,500 meters. Thus it is known as the roof of the world. The lowest region in Tibet is Nyingchi, with the average altitude is about 3,100m. In order to better adapt to the high plateau, I decided to enter from Nyingchi. It was proved that my choice was so wise.
Part 1 - Nyingchi
Nyingchi is not the Tibet you think you know – its beautiful lakes, deep gorges, immense forests, azalea-filled meadows, etc. Thanks to its characteristic geographic location and changeful climate, lots of great attractions are shaped in Nyingchi. Nyingchi is blessed with Nyingchi is renowned as the "East Switzerland".
King Cypress: Two kilometers southeast of Bayi a stand of ancient cypress trees dot a steep but inviting hillside. The most venerable cypress is a reported 2500 years old, making it the oldest tree in China, and as old as the Buddha himself. This, in addition to the tree being sacred to Bön founder Tonpa Shenrab, makes the site exceptionally holy for Tibetans, and a prime pilgrim spot.
The Wooden Walkway to Kying Cypress Nature Reserve
Towering Trees of Kying Cypress Nature Reserve
Lulang Forest: Featuring stunning alpine scenery, Lulang Forest, a typical plateau mountain meadow feast your eyes with a wonderful landscape and idyllic scenery in Nyingchi County. Mountain meadow feast your eyes with a wonderful landscape and idyllic scenery.
Lulang Forest
A corner of Lulang Forest
Basum-tso Lake: Basum-tso means "green water" in Tibetan. The entire area of the pristine lake features forests and an islet where stands a monastery with a history of more than 1,500 years.
Basum-tso Lake
Basum-tso Lake
Kading Valley Scenic Area: Kading Valley is a forested park famous for a thundering 200-meter-high waterfall. From granite cliffs, you may recognize many interesting figures, like a Buddha, a lotus lamp, or different holy animals.
A Corner of Kading Valley Scenic Area
A Corner of Kading Valley Scenic Area
After Nyingchi visiting, we drove about 6 hours along the well-paved 318 National Road to Lhasa.
Tips: China National Highway 318 (G318), is known as “heavenly road” for its wondrous landscapes and unique Tibetan culture. The road itself is a heart-touching attraction for its high altitude, ruggedness, and great scenery: Plains, plateaus, low hills, high mountains, freshwater lakes, scrubs, grasslands, deserts, etc.
Part 2 - Lhasa City
For many visitors, the highlights of Tibet will be of a spiritual nature: magnificent monasteries, prayer halls of chanting monks, and remote Cliffside meditation retreats. Tibetans have a level of devotion and faith that seems to belong to an earlier, almost medieval age. It is fascinating, inspiring, and endlessly photogenic. These days in Lhasa give me a chance to have a deep understanding of their religion and culture.
Potala Palace: Soaring above the old Lhasa city, the grand Potala Palace is truly an architectural marvel of Tibetan Civilization. Visit the Palace is a must. As the Traditional home for Tibetan rulers and Dalai Lamas, the palace contains the tomb stupas of Dalai Lamas and chambers of Dalai Lamas. It is genuinely a concentrated spiritual and material wealth of Tibet.
Potala Palace at Daytime
Potala Palace at Night
Norbulingka: About 3km west of the Potala Palace is the Norbulingka, the former summer residence of the Dalai Lama. The pleasant park contains several palaces and chapels, the highlight of which is the New Summer Palace, built by the current (14th) Dalai Lama. Actually the best visiting time is summer as flower blossom.
New Summer Palace in Norbulingka
Norbulingka
Actually the best visiting time is summer as flower blossom.
Norbulingka
Norbulingka – Photos shot in summer
Barkhor Street: The fascinating microcosm of Tibet. Barkhor is also the most popular destination in Lhasa. Its always recommend for travelers to wander around the Barkhor street, you will never know what you will come across. Follow the tide of Tibetan pilgrims circumambulating the circuit. Your smiling face will do the wonders. It’s good to prepare some gifts from home these strangers.
A corner of Barkhor Street
The Yak butter tea is one of must try while in Tibet
Jokhang Temple: It lies in the heart of Barkhor Circuit. The seventh-century builds Temple, the heart and soul of Tibetan Buddhism. Walk into the dark chamber, and a small chapel fills with the scent of incenses and butter lamps illuminating the century-old statue of Buddha. Walk with some local devotees and observe the trance of devotions.
Devout pilgrims at Jokhang Temple
Jokhang Temple
Drepung Monastery and Sera Monastery: Two of the three biggest spiritual centers in Tibet. The visit to these two monasteries will give you a very deep understanding of the monastic life of Tibetan monks Visit Sera monastery in the afternoon to see the monks debating. Go for Kora of both monasteries for a beautiful view of the Lhasa city and the Lhasa Valley. Sit in Silent in the main chapel to observe the divination of pilgrims. Observe the architecture of the buildings and giant statues of Buddha.
Giant Buddha Tapestry
Drepung Monastery is located on the Gambo Utse Mountain
Drepung Monastery is located on the Gambo Utse Mountain.
During the Shoton Festival, we normally hold the Buddha exhibition in Drepung Monastery. There will be a dramatic unfurling of a giant Buddha tapestry with 80 meters long and 40 meters wide hang on the hillside Thangka Exhibition Platform
View whole city from the top of Drepung Monastery
“Buddhism Debating” in Sera Monastery
“Buddhism Debating” in Sera Monastery. As a daily routine, the monks gather in a courtyard, and debate on the Buddhist doctrines with supplemented gestures, which is thought to be helpful to facilitate better comprehension of the Buddhist philosophy to attain higher levels of study.
Part 3 - Shigatse
After Lhasa visiting, we continued our trip to Shigatse. Shigatse City is the second-largest city in Tibet, lying about 250km southwest from Lhasa, and 90km northwest from Gyantse.
The first site we reached was the holy Yamdrok Lake. It has taken 3 hours driving from Lhasa. The challenge is high attitude mountain Gandbala 4700metres. Driving twisted and turning up the clouds and the mountains are great!
Driving from Lhasa to Shigatse
Yamdrok Lake
Yamdrok Lake: Yamdrok Lake.a freshwater lake in Tibet, it is one of the three largest sacred lakes in Tibet. It is over 72 km (45 mi) long. The lake is surrounded by many snow-capped mountains and is fed by numerous small streams. The lake has an outlet stream at its far western end and means turquoise in English due to its color. The lake's bright turquoise color and the view of the winding waterway tucked in the mountains are breathtaking.
About two hours away from Yamdrok Lake, we saw the imposing Karola Glacier towering aloft on the right side of the road.
Karola Glacier: It isn’t a big glacier, but the white glacier is spectacular from the highway, and it is close enough (about 300 yards) to walk to from the highway. You can see the various layers in the ice stack, and if the sun is shining, it is a brilliant white sight.
Continuing your trip, you will get to the historical city of Gyantse. Had a good lunch in the town, then went to visit Palcho Monastery
Palcho Monastery: Palcho Monastery was founded in 1427 and completed in 1437. And the building combines Stupas, Zhacangs, and Temples, also it owns the characteristics of Nepali, Han, and Tibetan architecture. By housing three sects of Kadampa, Gelugpa, and Sakyapa, it enjoys a high status in Tibet Buddhism history as these three sects get along well with each other.
Palcho Monastery
Prayer Wheels at Palcho Monastery
Gyantse Dzong: It is very close to Palcho Monastery. Perched high above the center of Gyantse Ancient Town, Gyantse Dzong (Gyantse Fortress) is one well preserved Dzong with historical significance in Tibet. But it is closed. We were unable to climb to the top of Gyantse Dzong, It was a pity. It would be great to get the fabulous view of Palcho Monastery and Gyantse’s whitewashed old town below.
After the Gyantse sightseeing, kept drive about 3 hours, we arrived at the hotel in Shigatse. It was really a long day. Having a good rest was really needed.
On next day, we got up early to visit our last stop before driven back to Lhasa.
Tashilhunpo Monastery: One of the few monasteries in Tibet to weather the stormy seas of the Cultural Revolution, Tashilhunpo remains relatively unscathed. It is a pleasure to explore the cobbled lanes twisting around its aged buildings. Covering 70,000 sq meters, the monastery is now the largest functioning religious institution in Tibet – home to around 950 monks – and one of its great monastic sights. The huge golden statue of the Future Buddha is the largest gilded statue in the world.
View of Tashilhunpo Monastery from distance
A corner of Tashilhunpo Monastery
In the afternoon, driven along the Nepal - China Highway back to Lhasa.
Our trip is about to end. My memory of it will always fresh in colors in my whole life.
Tibet Travel Consultant - Catherine
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