SIGHTSEEING DESTINATIONS IN TIBET

Zhangmu (7,000 ft.) better known by its Tibetan name, Khasa, is a small settlement clinging to a hillside 10 km. inland from the Friendship Bridge across the Bhote Koshi River. After the closure of the China/India border from Gangtok, Zhangmu has become the major trading post between Tibet and Nepal. The climate is quite different from the hinterland. The hills around Zhangmu are heavily wooded with innumerable waterfalls in the summer and frozen 'icicles' during the winter. It has a bank, a post office, a government store, and is presently undergoing a  construction boom to meet the demands of trade and tourism.

Nyalamu (12,200 ft.), known as 'Kuti' to Nepalese traders, used to be an important trade post tucked into a fertile valley. Nowadays, barrack style Chinese communes surround the typical old, flat-roofed, mud-brick houses. Although vegetation is sparse, one can see an abundance of alpine fauna on the hillside during the summer months.

Gutsuo (14,200 ft.) is a military base camp situated at the start of the plateau, after passing through the Thongla Pass (16,400 ft.) from where a most panoramic views of the northern face of the Himalayan range unfolds.  The best view of Mt. Everest and its neighboring peaks can be seen from the road at Gutsuo. Accommodation here would be intended camps or at the barracks itself.

Xegar (13,800 ft.) is a new Chinese commune built at the foot of the ruins of Xegar Dzong and is 7 km. from the main road. With a population of 3,000, 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 crossroad from where the road turns westwards towards Mt. Kailash and Mansarovar Lake. During the short summer season, the whole valley is covered with green barley fields and bright yellow mustard meadows, and is a welcome change after the barren lands of the Tibetan plateau. There is also a small hot spring located a few kilometers away.

Xigatse (12,600 ft.) is most famous for its Tashi Lhunpo Monastery, the seat of the Panchen Lama, who is regarded as the reincarnation of the Buddha of Endless Enlightenment. Items of interest inside this monastery built in 1447 A.D. by the first Dalai Lama are: the relics of Shakyamuni, the Hall of Maitreya, and a mind  boggling collection of Thankas, frescoes and statues. There is a bustling 'free' marker at the foot of the ruins of the Xigatse Fortress where one can buy local handicrafts, embedded with coral and turquoise, Tibetan daggers, Chinese porcelain and yak butter.

Gyanstse (13,050 ft.) is a small agricultural town famous for its woolen carpets and the Phalkor Choide Chorten. Amongst the Lamasery and the fort, this unique structure built in 1414 consist of five storeys representing the five steps to enlightenment, topped by thirteen rings which symbolize the stages of advancement towards Buddhahood. There are 108 halls inside, each with frescoes and Buddha Shrines, the frescoes showing a strong Indian influence. Before 1959 A.D. traders coming from Kalimpong and Gangtok (India) used to enter Tibet through Yadong and then to Gyantse, enrouted to Lhasa.

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 624 sq. km., 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 in its vicinity. At a mountain pass of 16,000 ft. enroute Nagarje one can see, even in summer, the holy pin-pointed glacier.

Lhasa (11,850 ft.) was, and still is, the religious, cultural and economic center of Tibet. Place of interest include the Potala, the 13 storey, 1000 room palace of the Dalai Lama; the monasteries of Drepung and Sera, the summer palace of the Dalai Lama, Norbulingka; and the Jakhang the holiest shrine of Tibet. The circular Barkhor Street with innumerable shops and wayside peddlers intermingle with the devotees walking clockwise around the Jokhang enfusing the magic that is Tibet.

SERA MONASTERY: Sera means hail-stone in Tibetan. Situated on the foot of the Wudu Hill to the nouth of Lhasa city, Sera comprises of a great sutra chanting hall, a college and 32 sections.

JOKHANG TEMPLE: Jokhang Temple built in 647 A.D. is the spiritual center of Tibet and the holiest destination for Tibetan Buddhist pilgrims. It houses the sitting statue of Shakyamuni when he was 12 years old.

Barkhor Bazaar is the oldest street of ancient Lhasa City, circling the Jokhang Temple.

POTALA PALACE: Potala palace, located on the Red Hill, was built in 640 A.D. during the reign of King Songtsen Gampo. The original Potala palace was destroyed in the 9^th century but was rebuilt in the 17^th century, during the reign of the 5^th Dalai Lama.

DREPUNG MONASTERY: It is situated to the west of Lhasa City and was founded in 1417 A.D. by one of the disciples of Tsong Khapa. It was the largest and richest of the three major yellow sect monasteries in Lhasa.