Destinations in Tibet:
Tibet is home of Lama Buddhism. Lhasa is Capital of Tibet Autonomous Region of China. The Potala Palace is a landmark of Tibet and Lama Buddhism. The great Tibet Plateau is in north side of Himalaya and it is also a Land of extraordinary beauty. Moreover Tibet has border with Nepal and the most of the Tibetan civilization are parallel to the Himalayas. For a long time Tibet Travel from Nepal has been popular among tourists. Tourists from different part of the world make a combined tours in Nepal and Tibet. Hence Tibet tours from Nepal can be considered an integrated part of Nepal Tourism. Please find the description of important destinations in Tibet.
Lhasa: is the capital city of the Tibet Autonomous Region of China. It was founded in 633 A.D. by King Srongtsan Gampo. The beautiful Sunshine city of Lhasa is located on east part of great plateau of Tibet ( 3100% m). The Potala Palace is a landmark of Lhasa and Lama Buddhism. It is a 13 story and 1000 rooms palace and once winter residence of the Dalai Lama. The construction of the present structure began during the reign of the fifth Dalai Lama in 1645 and took more than 50 years to complete. Sight seeing in Lhasa and its surrounding includes: Potala palace, Drepung and Sera monasteries, the Norbulinka Palace, Jokhang temple Barkhor Market, etc. Lhasa has Road links as well as Air links with Kathmandu.
Shigatse: Shigatse is the second largest cities in Tibet. It is famous for the Tashilhunpo Monastery built in 1447- the seat of the Panchen Lama that once housed over 4000 monks, but now there are only 600. Very little remains of the old Shigatse Fortress, but the ruins on the skyline are imposing all the same.
Gyantse: This small agricultural town is at 13, 050 ft above sea level and is famous for its wool carpets and Phalkor choide chorten. The Palkhor Monastery built in 1427, is notable for its superb Kumbum (10,000 images) stupa, which has nice tiers and, according to the Buddhist tradition, 108 chapels. The lower tiers contain excellent murals. Gyantse is most popular site in most itineraries.
Everest base Camp (North): Shegar is a small town near highway. It is base for the expedition to Mt. Everest (north). The landmark of the town is the Monastery at Rongphu on the way to Everest Base Camp (North). Climbing expeditions pay their respects to the high lamas before completing the final stage to the base camp. Shegar 13,800 ft above sea level, this is a new Chinese community built 7 km of the highway at the foot of the ruins of Shegar Dzong. With population of 3000, it is the center of a large and remote country and also the base for the expeditions to Mt. Everest and other peaks.
Zhangmu: It is a first town you come across from Nepal and is popularly known as Khasa in Tibetan language. It is an important trading center for Nepal and Tibet for centuries. The hills around Zhangmu are heavily wooded with innumerable waterfalls. The sister town, Nyalam, is an alternative site for accommodation while you are driving from Kathmandu to Lhasa.
Tsedang and Samye valley: Tsedang is a capital city of Lhoka prefecture in eastern Tibet. It is also third largest city in Tibet and is in equidistant from international airport at Gongar for Lhasa. Tsedang was renowned cradle of the Tibetans. A wonderful myth tells that Avlokitshvara descended as a monkey in the country and married a Demoness to produce the first member of Tibetan race. Hence this mountain region becomes a sacred place for pilgrimage. It is also a hub of Tibetan civilization. Tsedang is associated with first Tibetan kingdom, first palace Yambulakang palace, and first Buddhist Sutra Panghonchaja. It is also door way for trekking in Samye valley.
Kailash and Mansarovar: The Mt. Kailash is the apex of the Hindu religion. It is a mountain of Lord Shiva. It is also holy peak for Tibetan Buddhism. It is one of the highest mountain in western Tibet at 22,022 feet. The lake Mansarovar is at the base of Mt. Kailash at 14,950 feet. Lake Mansarovar the highest fresh water lake in the world is also a very sacred lake. A bath (dip) in holy Mansarovar and Parikrama around Mt. Kailash is a lifetime pilgrimage of a Hindu. The pilgrimage erases all sins of life times. A Salvation or Nirvana will be achieved after 108 times parikrama of Kailash. This is a difficult region to travel due to the variable and extreme weather conditions. Road conditions are difficult much of the time. Tibetan plateau is also so remote that we have to bring our own food and camping equipment. This pilgrimage can be both a religious and secular experience.
Guge Kingdom: was founded in about the tenth century by a descendant of King Lang Darma, who fled from Lhasa after the collapse of the Tubo Kingdom. The kingdom played an important role in the second renascence in Tibet and survived for about 700 years before disappearing mysteriously in the 17th century. The ruins lie on a hilltop near a river and cover 180,000 square meters. Houses, cave dwellings, monasteries and stupas were found on the hill and surrounding area. Palaces sat at the summit, while monasteries were on the mountainside and cave dwellings for the common people were at the foot of the hill. The Guge Kingdom is famous for its murals, sculptures and stone inscriptions, which are attached to the surviving structures.
