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PLACES
OF INTEREST
Zangmu (7,000
ft) better known by its Tibetan name Khasa, is a small
settlement clinging to hillside 10 kilometers inland
from the Friendship bridge across the Bhotekoshi river.
After the closure of the China /India boarder from Gangtok,
Zangmu has become the major trading post between Tibet
& Nepal.
Nyalam
(12 200 ft) known as ‘Kuti’ to Nepalese
traders, used to be an important trade post tucked into
a fertile valley.
Gutsuo
(14,200Ft.) is a military base camp situated at the
start of the Tibetan Plateau. After passing through
the Thongla pass (16,400 ft) , from where the most panoramic
view of the Northern face of he Himalayan ranges unfolds.
The best view of Mt. Everest and its neighboring peaks
can be seen from the road at Gutsuo.
Xegar
(13,800 ft.) is a new Chinese commune built at 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 center of this large and remote country
.and also a base from where expeditions to Mt. Everest
and other peaks are launched.
Lhaze
(13,100 ft.) is situated at the cross roads from where
the road turns westwards towards Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar
lake.
Xigatse (12,600 ft.) is most
famous for its Tashilhunpo Monastery the seat of Panchen
Lama, who is regarded as the re-incarnation of the Buddha
of endless enlightenment. Items of interest inside the
monastery built in 1447 by the first Dalai Lama are,
the relics of Shakyamuni the hall of Maitreya and a
mind boggling collection of thankas, Frescoes and statues.
Xigatse is the second largest town in Tibet and the
capital of Tsang, lying 254 Kms west of Lhasa.
Sakya Monastery
Lies 143 Km to the southwest of Sigatse. Sakya Monastery
is the center of the Shakya order of Tibetan Buddhism,
was founded in1073 by Knochok Gyalpo. During the rule
of the Sakyapas the priest patron relationship between
Tibet and China was established. Sakyapa rulers resigned
over Tibet for nearly a hundred years from 13th –
14th century. many of lists priceless images, frescos,
statues holy scriptures remaining today date back to
the time of its founding.
Gyangtse (13050
ft) is a small agricultural town between Lhasa and Shigatse
famous for its woolen carpets and the Palkhor Choide
Chorten among the Lamasery &. the fort , this unique
structure built in 1414 consists of 5 storeys representation
the five steps to enlightenment, topped by 13 rings
which symbolizes the stage of advancement towards Buddha
Hood. There are 108 halls inside, each with frescoes
and Buddha Shrines, the frescoes showing a strong influence
of India. It made the world headlines in 1904 when colonel
Young Husband, who led a British expedition to Tibet,
defeated the Tibetan army there.
Nagarje
(14,300 ft) is a settlement by the shores of Yamdrok
Lake. this fresh water lake, unlike other Tibetan lakes,
is sweet and non- saline, extending for 6-4 square kilometers
in the shape of the two pincers of a large scorpion.
During summer it is turquoise green in color. but during
winter it has a thick crust of ice over it. It is abundant
in fish and migratory birds can be seen it its vicinity.
At a mountain Pass at of 1600 ft, enroute Nagarje one
can see even in summer the holy pinpointed glacier .
Lhasa
(11850 ft) was, and still is, the religious, cultural,
and economic center of Tibet. Places of interest are:
Potala Palace the 13 storey, 1000 rooms palace of the
Dalai Lama; the monastery of Drepung and Sera, the summer
palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka and the Jokhang
the holiest shrine of Tibet, the circular Barkhor Bazaar
with innumerable shops and way side paddlers intermingled
with the devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang
enfusing the magic that is Tibet. The literal meaning
of Lhasa is “place of gods.” As Tibets’
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 3000m over the valley floor.
this legendary palace, built a top a single hill is
synonymous with Tibet. First built in the 70th century,
as a fortess by Tibet’s foremost king, Songtsen
Gompo. It was expanded to its present structure during
the 17th century by the the Dalai Lama. The Potala was
seat and symbol of Dalai Lama unique rule over the temporal
and spiritual affairs of Tibet. This 13 storey, 1000
rooms, living quarter of the Dalai Lama ‘s apartments
for regents, Tutors, High lamas, splendid ceremonial
areas, shrine and corridors, Tresuries, cell for monks
and servants, granaries and store rooms. The 5th Dalai
Lama Kundung (Chorden) is covered with 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.
Norbulinkha palace
The “Jewel Pard’ as it is known in Tibetan,
was built in the 18th century and served as the summer
palace of the 13th and 14th Dalai Lamas. The palace
is an interesting mixture of religious and modern elements
and as we walk through to see the main hall, an audience
hall, The Dalai Lam’s bed room and prayer room
and the room for his mother. This colorful garden landscape
was the site of picnic and public gatherings. The palaces
are richly decorated, creating an atmosphere of peaceful
repose.
Sera monastery Once
it was the second largest of all the monasteries in
Tibet. “Sera” Enclosure of Wild rose’
was founded in 1419 by a disciple of Tsong Khapa. At
its peak, it housed over 7000 monks and was famous for
its warrior monks, the “Dob-Doa” We will
visit Ngawa chanting hall and see the remarkable murals
in the drezme colleges chanting hall.
Jokhang Temple
Situated in the heart of old lahasa, houses which was
brought a s gift by the Chinese princes Wen Cheng on
the occasion of her wedding the Tibetan king, Songtsen
Gomp. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling
Barkhor market place which is the religious and social
focus of Lhasa.
Drepung Monastery Dreppung
lines 8 km. west of Lhasa on the main road, then 3 km
north and steep unpaired road . Its name Drepung means
“Rice Heap”, was the biggest and the richest
of all the monasteries in Tibet. This monastery is said
to be the largest monastery in the world, housing over
10000 monks and governed 7700 subsidiary monastries
and was divided into four colleges, each with its chanting
hall, dormitories, kitchens and offices. It was founded
in 1416 by the disciple of Je Tsonkhapa, founder of
the Yellow hat Gelukpa Sect of Tibetan Buddhism. the
second, third and fourth Dalai lama lived and were entombed
here. The entire monastic communities assemble only
for special cere monies and festivals. Today, about
400 monks livesd there. Approaching Drepung, you will
see the Nechung Temple, The home of the State Oracle
the present oracle lives in India.
Barkhor Market: Walk
along the Barkhor street that circles the Jolkhan 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 woodwork and almost everyone
has got something to sell over there. T surphu (Tuling
Churba Gompa), lies northwest of lhasa, just off the
main Lhasa.
TseDang
(12000 ft) is 220 kms south of Lhasa is located in the
Yarlung valley . No tour of Tibet is complete with out
a visit to Tsedang. This region abounds with important
historical landmarks such a Samye, Yumbulkhangm chonggye,
mindroling and others. Samye monastery was built in
the 8th century by Padmasambhava (lotus born guru),
the great disciple of Buddha himself , and is the oldest
in Tibet.
Yambulakhang Palace
Situated about 12 km south of Tsedang, is the first
palace built by the tibetans for their first recorded
King Nyatri Tsedpo, who is believed to have descended
from heaven. It wa s destroyed during the cultural revolution
and the present structure is an exact replica of the
original rebuilt 1982. Lake Namtso ( 15400 ft) also
known as “ the Heaven lake” is the Tibet’s
largest salt water lake having a surface area of 1940
square kms. and it is estimated to take approximately
18 days to circumnutated.
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