Home
Places of Interest In Tibet
Lhasa:
The capital city of Tibet, at an altitude of 3650m, is situated on the north bank of the Kyichu River, a tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo river. Lhasa in Tibetan means “ Place of the Gosd” and Potala Palace, the residence of the Dalai Lama ( The God King), is the earthly representation of the celestial Palace of Avaloketeswora, the Buddha of infinite compassion whose incarnation in the human form is belived to be the Dalai Lama.
As Tibet’s political, religious and cultural center, it is a city truly blessed by the gods where life is unhurried , its people jovial and yet remaining staunchly independent.
 
Potala Palace:
The Potala Palace is surely one of the wonders of the world. It rises more than 300m over the valley floor. This legendry palace, built atop a single hill, is synonymous with Tibet. First built in the 07th century, as a fortress by Tibet’s foremost king, Songtsen Gompo. It was expanded to its present structure during the 17th century by the 05th Dalai Lama. The Potala was seat and symbol of Dalai Lama Unique rule over the temporal and spritual affairs of Tibet.
This 13 storey, 1000 rooms, living quarters of the Dalai Lama amd apartments for regents, Tutors, High Lamas, splendid ceremonial areas, offices of chapel, Shrine and corridors, Treasuries, cell for monks and servants, granaries and store rooms. The 5th Dalai Lama Kudung ( chorden), is covered wirh 3700 gold and the 13th Dalai lama, with a ton of gold besides priceless jewels. The palace of Dalai Lamas have now become more a museum than a palace.
[Top]
Norbulingkha Palace:The “Jewel Park” as it is known in Tibetan, was built in the 18th century and served as the summer Palace of the 13th and the 14th Dalai Lamas. The Palace is an interesting mixtures of religious and modern elements and as we walk through to see the main throne hall, an audience hall, The Dalai Lama’s Bed room and prayer room and the room for his mother.
This colourful garden landscape was the site of picnic and public gatherings. The palaces are richely decorated, creating an atmosphere of peaceful repose.
 
Sera Monastery: Once it was the second largest of all monasteries in Tibet. Sera “ Enclosure of Wild Rose”, was founded in 1419 by a discipline of Tsong Khapa. At its peak, it housed over 7000 monks and was famous for Tantric teachings. Sera was also well known for its warrior monks, the “ Dob- Doa”. We will visit Jye- Dazang college, the debating garden, Tsung Dyen college, Ngawa chanting hall and see the remarkable murals in the Drezme college’s chanting hall.
Jolkhang Temple: Situated in the heart of old Lhas, houses Tibet’s most precious religious relic, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha which was brought as a gift by the Chinese princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan king, Songtsen Gompo. Surrounding the Jolkhang Temple is the bustling Bharkhor market place which is the reiigious and social focus of Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery: Drepung lies 8km west of Lhasa on the main road then 3km north and steep unpaired road. Its name drepung means “ Rice Heap”, was the biggest and the richest of all monasteries in Tibet. This monastery is said to be the largest monastery in the world, housing over 10000 monks and governed 7700 ssidiary monasteries and was divided into four colleges, each with its enchanting hall, dormitories, kitchens and offices.It was founded in 1416 by the discipline of Je Tsonkhapa, founder of the Yellow Hat Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The second, third and fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. The entire monastic communities assemble only for special ceremonies and festivals. Today, about 400 monks live there. Approaching Drepung, you will see the Nechung Temple, the home of the State Oracles. The present oracle lives in India.
[Top]
Bhakhor Market: Walk along the Bhakhor street that circles the Jolkhang 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 wood work and almost everyone has got something to sell over there.
Tsurphu: Tsurphu ( Tuling Churba Gompa), lies north west of Lhasa, just of the main Lhasa.
Tsedang: No tour of Tibet is complete without a visit to Tsedang, situated 170km Southeast of Lhasa in the Yarlung Valley along the banks of the Tsangpo River ( Brahmaputra), the cradle of Tibetan civilisation. This region abounds with important historical landmarks such as Samye, Yumbulakhang, Chonggye, Mindrolling and others.
Samye Monastery: Lies about 40 km to the west of Tsedang acress the Tsangpo River. It is the first monastery built by king Trisong Detsen in the latter part of the 08 th century.Samye Monastery combines 03 distinctive architectural styles that that of India, China and Tibet, symbolising the source, stability and spread of the Buddhist faith. With the building of this monadstery, the community of monks began.
[Top]
Yambulakhang Palace: Situated about 12km south of Tsedang, is the first palace built by the Tibetans for their first recorded King Nyatri Tsenpo, who is believed to have descended from heaven. It is a 05 storey fortress- like dwelling built on the spur of a hill that commands an impressive view of the entire fertile valley.It was destroyed during the cultural revolution and the present structure is an exact replica of the original rebuilt in 1982.
Gyangtse: Is a pastoral town between Lhasa and Shigatse. It is 264 km South west of Lhasa. It still retains the charm of a traditional Tibetan town untouched by modern expansion. It made world headlines in 1904 when colonel young Husband, who led a British expedition to Tibet, defeated the Tibetan army there. As a cross- roads on the principle trade route to india, it used to be renowned for the excellence of the carpets. The compound, encircled by an impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries, presided over by the still intact fortress perched atop a nearby mountain.
Chonggye: In a valley south of Tsedang lie the famous tombs of the early kings of Tibet. Among the numerrous tombs there, the biggest and the most distinguishable one is that of king Songtsen Gompo, the foremost king of Tibet.
Mindroling: Is one of the largest and most important Nyingmapa monasteries in central Tibet. Founded in 17th century, it became a center of learning where officials of the lay Government in Lhasa would traditionally be sent to study.
[Top]
Kumbum: Is one of the most unique and magnificent buildings in Tibet consisting of 06 storeys complete with a Buddhist hall and a prayer hall. It has 112 chapels and its walls are adorned with religious paintings. Built in the 15th century, it has withstood all battles and revolutions since.
Palkhur Choide Monastery: Located near the Kumbum, it was founded in the 15th century, It has been remarkably well preserved and many of the statues and paintings inside it date back to the time of its founding.
Shigatse:Is the second largest town in Tibet and the capital of Tsang, lying 254 km west of Lhasa at an altitude of 2810m.
Tashilhunpo Monastery: Founded in 1447 by Dendun Drup, the first Dalai Lama. It is the seat of the Panchen Lama who is second to the Dalai Lama in Tibetan Buddhist hierarchy. The 05th Dalai Lama declared that his teacher, then the abbot of Tashilhunpo, was a manifestation of Lord Buddha Amitabha and the fourth in line of incarnate lamas who would henceforth be referred to by the title of Panchen Rinpoche. Tashilhunpo has one of the world's largest statues-a 09 storied gilded brinze statue of Maitriya, the future Buddha.
Sakya Monastery: Lies 143 km to the southwest of Shigatse. Sakya Monastery, the center of the Sakya order of Tibetan Buddhism, was founded in 1073 by Konchok Gyalpo. During the rule of the Sakyapas the priest patron relationship between Tibet for nearly a hundred years from 13th -14th century. Many of its priceless images, frescos, starues, holy scriptures remaining today date back to the time of its founding.
[Top]