Places to visit in Tibet

Lhasa
Lhasa in Tibetan means "the place where the immortals live". It's a forbidden city, a mysterious jewel on the roof of the world. Potala Palace, a vast white-and-ochre fortress soaring over one of the world’s highest cities, is the adobe of Dalai Lamas. It was first built in the 7th century but the present palace was rebuilt in the 17th century over the ruins of a fire damage of the previous palace. There are many superb statues, murals and encrusted tombs of the late Dalai Lamas. While the majesty Potala dominates the skyline, the Jokhang, some 2km to the east, is the real spiritual heart of the city. The Jokhang, which was built in 647 AD by the great king Songsten Gampo, contains the serene and sacred statue of Jowo Sakyamuni, which is believed to be a likeness of the Buddha when he was 12 years old. An otherworldly mix of flickering butter lamps, wafting incense and prostrating pilgrims, it is here and the encircling Barkhor street that most visitors first fall in love with Tibet. Tourists and drifters alike are commonly seen here sunbathing, chatting and killing time. It is considered good luck to walk around the Barkhor before entering the Jokhang temple.

The Sera monastery is one of the best preserved monasteries in Tibet, renowned for its lively debating sessions in the courtyard in the afternoons (3:00pm Mon. - Fri.). The monastery houses several hundred monks, who live and study within its whitewashed walls and golden roofs. Another monastery to see is the Dreprung, which was founded in the 14th century. It used to be the largest monastery in the world.

Norbulingka, ("the jeweled park" literally) is a palace and surrounding park in Lhasa, which served as the traditional summer residence of the successive Dalai Lamas. One particular mural inside depicts the history of Tibet and all the Dalai Lamas. The rooms have remained as they were when the Dalai Lama left in 1959. Here you can also see where Heinrich Harrer ("Seven Years in Tibet") lived and taught English, as well as the cars which the Great 13th Dalai Lama imported to Tibet.

Namtso Lake:
Namtso means Heaven Lake or Scared Lake in Tibetan. At the juncture of Damxung County and Nagqu Prefecture, it is 4,718 meters above sea level. It covers an area of 1,920 square kilometers. It is the second largest salt-water lake in China next to Qinghai Lake. The three islands in the lake are habitats of wild ducks in late spring and early summer. By the lake flocks of yaks, sheep, hare and other wild animals graze and play under the blue sky. There is no human activities such as boating or fishing in the lake because of its sacred importance to the Tibetans, which helps preserve the environment tremendously.

Yarlung and Tsedang
Tsetang (Zedang) is the fourth-largest city in Tibet and the capital of Shannan (Lhoka) prefecture. Tsetang is a jumping board for exploration of the Yarlung Valley and is known as the cradle of Tibetan civilization for two reasons: First the mild weather and fertile land in Shannan nurtured generations of Tibetans. Second, it's the birthplace of the first Tibetans who were said to be the offspring of a monkey and a demoness. The old earth tombs of the great ancient Tibetan kings, including Songsten Gampo, scatter the plains in the highest royal graveyard in the world. You will also see small but charming temples containing statues of Songten Gampo, his wives and ministers. This area also boasts Tibet's oldest building, constructed in the 2nd century. Yambu Lakhang was built for the first Tibetan king Nyatri Tsenpo and is perched high in the mountains overlooking the plains. Once used as a summer palace by Songsten Gampo, it was converted to a monastery after he moved the capital to Lhasa.

Shighatse:
Shigatse means "fertile land" and stands at the junction of the Yarlong Tsangpo and Nyangchu River. Shigatse is one of the world's highest cities with the average elevation in a range of 3840 meters (about 12598 feet) - 4464 meters (about 14645 feet). It used to be the capital of Tsang and now is the capital of Shigatse prefecture. With the 600 years history, the city is the traditional seat of the Panchen Lama, who is second only in religious importance to the Dalai Lama himself. Furthermore, Shigatse is of great importance for its location in this area. It is 300 kilometers (about 187 miles) away from the world's highest peak Mt. Everest, 150 kilometers (about 93 miles) away from the Sakya Monastery and also on the only path to holy lakes and mountains in west Tibet. Tashilhunpo Monastery is one of the largest monasteries in Tibet. It contains the world's largest brass statue of Maitreya Buddha, which is over 80 feet tall and has extremely delicate features. We’ll also visit the fascinating local market here, where you can practice your bargaining skills.

Gyantse
Gyantse (Jiangzi), located in the Nyang-chu Valley, is famed for the Gyantse Kumbum. Between the 14th and 15th centuries, Gyantse emerged as the centre of a fiefdom, with powerful connections to the Sakyapa order. By 1440 Gyantse’s most impressive architectural achievements – the kumbum (100, 000 Buddha images) and the dzong – had been completed. The Pelkor Chöde Monastery also dates from this period. The Dzong is a fort dating back to the 14th century. It was here that the Tibetans bravely fought the British invasion by Colonel Younghusband in 1904. The Mandala-shaped Kumbum is a large gold-doomed stupa and its many small chapels house an impressive array of Tibetan Buddhist murals. Don't forget to stroll the back streets of town or hike to the little-visited monasteries in the vicinity. The mix of pilgrims, children, pop music, cows, motorcycles and mud is as true a picture of contemporary Tibetan life as you’ll find.

Everest Base Camp
Lying at 5,208 metres (17,090 ft) is the North Base Camp in Tibet(28°8′28″N 86°51′6″E). The trek to the North Everest Base Camp is one of the most popular trekking routes and it provides stunning views of the Everest, as well as Makalu, Lhotse and Shishapangma. Rongbuk monastery, which was founded in 1902 around a series of meditation caves which had been in use for over 400 years, is the last hint of civilization in this area. The lama here traditionally blesses all expeditions aiming for the summit of Mt. Everest. One mile ahead of Rongbuk Monastery lies an array of rudimentary tent hotels where you can stay for the night. It's no star-hotel service but you can make life-long friends trekking to 17,000ft, snapping pictures of Everest in sunset, staring into the never-so-close starry sky.

kailash
Mount Kailash is 6,714m high and with its diamond shape and snow capped peak it is an awe-inspiring sight. It is considered a sacred place in five religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, Ayyavazhi and the Bon faith. There have been no recorded attempts to climb Mount Kailash. It is considered off limits to climbers in deference to Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. It is the most significant peak in the world that has not seen any known climbing attempts. It also has geographical significance as four great rivers flow from it: the Karnali, the Indus, the Sutlej and the Brahmaputra, which drain the vast Tibetan Plateau. Circling Mt. Kailash is said to cleanse one's soul. Apart from its religious importance, it is also a trekker's heaven.

Lake mansarovar
Manasarovar Lake lies at 4,556 m (14948 ft) above sea level. It is one of the highest fresh-water lakes in the world. It is approximately 30km from Mt. Kailash. This beautiful and sacred lake is an important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and Hindus. On the northwest shore of the lake is the picturesque Chiu Monastery, which was built right onto a steep hill and looks as if it has been carved right out of the rock. Circumambulation of the lake is another popular trekking route in West Tibet.