Gyantse is located 254 km southwest of Lhasa, in the Nyang Chu valley. Observe Tibetan life and explore the sights and monasteries of this major city. Gyantse's main attraction is Kumbum, a beautifully designed stupa. It was built in 1440 and the ground floor is divided into a maze of chapels. There are beautiful murals on the walls with 'all-seeing eyes' predominating. Palkhor Chode is the monastery next to Kumbum and was founded in 1418 by Rapten Kunsang along with Kumbum. Sadly only 4 buildings now remain, and these are attended by Gelugpa monks. Perched high above Gyantse is the 14th century Dzong, or fort, which was attacked by the British under Sir Francis Younghusband in 1904.
At an altitude of 3683 metres is Lhasa, one of the world’s highest cities and the heart and soul of Tibet. Looming over the city is the architectural marvel, the Potala Palace, Lhasa’s cardinal landmark and the traditional winter residence of the Dalai Lamas. The greatest sights around Lhasa, such as the sacred Jokhang Temple, the Norbu Lingka and the Barkhor market area, all proclaim Tibet’s unique past and are testament to the fact that the Tibetan people and their religion are inseparable.
New Tingri formerly had a fortress perched on the cliffs above and a monastery known as Shining Crystal. The town is now composed of an old Tibetan quarter and a larger Chinese section, overlooking a sweeping plain bordered by the mighty Himalayan mountain range.
Shigatse is the second largest town in Tibet, the traditional capital of Tsang and has long been an important trading town and administrative centre. The Tsang kings exercised their power from the once imposing Shigatse Dzong, and the fort later became the residence of the governor of Tsang. Shigatse’s foremost attraction is the Tashilunpo Monastery, former seat of the Panchen Lama.
The rugged town of Zhangmu clings to the rim of the road that snakes down to the customs area at the border of Tibet and Nepal. Also known as Dram in Tibetan and Khasa in Nepali, Zhangmu’s population consists of a fascinating mix of Han, Tibetan and Nepalese.