Nepal... The celebrated birthplace of Lord Buddha. The hallowed cradle of Buddhism. The abode of Kumari-the Living Goddess. The homeland of the famed mighty Gurkhas...
Bhutan... The Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan is fast emerging from centuries of self imposed isolation Bhutan, hidden in the eastern Himalayas, is an exotic land of Mahayana Bhuddhism...
Tibet... "The Roof of the World" an ancient land of mystery with unique culture, mightily rivers, desolate mountains, unique & traditional Tibetan monasteries...
India... A cultural hub of South-Asia because of the ancient religious history and known as origin of Hindu civilization, India is full of religious sites which shows the cultural worthiness...
LHASA:
Lhasa was, and still is, the religious, cultural and economic center of Tibet. The holy city of Lhasa is situated on the north bank of the Kyi-chu River. To the south, on the far bank of the river, is the Chakyak Karpo range. Smaller hills are located within the valley: the most prominent being Marpori (Red Mountain) on which the Potala Palace is constructed. The Potala, the 13 storey, 1000 room palace of the Dalai Lama. It is a city scattered with ancient and spectacular Temples and Monasteries, each having their own mystical and historical backgrounds.
POTALA PALACE:
The Potala, the most monumental and complex structures ever built in Tibet. This palace was designed to serve numerous diverse functions and also the palace where the Dalai Lama and his large entourage resided and where all ceremonies of state were held. It was also the seat of Tibet's government and was a major destination of pilgrims. Riches, sacred images and the spectacular tombs of the Dalai Lamas themselves—all contributed to the Potala's extraordinary status. This 13—storied edifice was among the world's tallest buildings prior to the advent of the 20th century skyscraper and undoubtedly the grandest building in Tibet.
JOKHANG TEMPLE:
The Jokhang, Tibet's most sacred shrine is located in the heart of Lhasa's colorful Tibetan quarter. Jokhang is the focal point of pilgrims from the entire Tibetan plateau and also the focus of devotion day and night. Scores of Tibetans circle it while going round and round the Barkhor, gaining spiritual merit and generally having a peaceful time. The temple was founded by Queen Bhrikuti on a site deemed by Queen Wencheng to be the principal geomantic power-place in Tibet. The main gate of the Jokhang temple faces west toward Nepal in recognition of Queen Bhrikuti who bore the expenses of the Jokhang's construction. This, the spiritual center of Tibet, is also the heart of Lhasa.
DREPUNG MONASTERY:
Drepung monastery is located eight kilometers northwest of Lhasa on a high ridge known as Gephel Utse above West Dekyi lam. It was founded in 1416 by Jamyang Choje and named after the sacred abode of Shridhanyataka in south India. The second Dalai Lama, doubling as Drepung's abbot, built the Ganden Potrang in the early years of the 16th century. From this time on, Drepung became the effective center of political power in Tibet. By the time of the fifth Dalai Lama, its population had grown to a staggering 10,000, easily the largest monastic institution in the world. It was renowned as a great center of learning and attracted the best and the brightest. Of Lhasa's monasteries, Drepung suffered the least during the Cultural Revolution.
SERA MONASTERY:
The Sera is one of the six great monasteries. It was founded in 1419 by Shakya Yeshe and established meditation retreats in the Sera Utse ridge. The Sera Monastery lies in the base of Phurpa Chok Ri (Sera Utse Ridge). The complex today, a veritable monastic city, occupies a site of nearly 12 hectares. Sera, like Ganden and Drepung, was a vital center of religious activity that drew students from the far corners of Tibet. Sera is one of the best-preserved monasteries of Tibet. On of the most pleasant outings in Lhasa is the 11/2- hr hike from the monastery to Sera Utse.
NORBU LINGKA:
Norbu Lingka, the Jewel Park, is one of the most relaxing, pleasant parts of Lhasa. The site is a large, 40-hectare enclave on the outskirts of town, full of trees, ponds, gardens and palaces. Since the middle of the 18th century, it has been the official summer residence of the Dalai Lama. The grand palaces and auxiliary buildings were built during this century by the 13th and 14th Dalai Lama. Norbu Lingka lies at Lhasa's west end and also has four major palace complexes. All but the last lie in the park's eastern half. The palaces consist of no less than 400 rooms and chapels.
Ganden Monastery-the main seat of the Gelupga:
Ganden is about 45 km east of Lhasa along the road that follows the south bank of the Kyi Chu to Medro Gongkar. The monastery is 18 km more up a winding road, near the top of the sacred ridge of Wangku Ri.
Ganden denotes the Paradise of Tushita and the abode of Jampa, the future Buddha. The monastery, one of Gelugpa's Great Six was built on a ridge called Gokpo Ri, the site where Tsong Khapa (1357-1419) first meditated in order to choose a place for the main monastery of the sect.
YAMDROK LAKE:
Like many holy mountains, a number of lakes in Tibet are believed to be endowed with unique spiritual powers. And Yamdrok Lake is believed to be so. The eastern shores of Yamdruk Tso have a number of superb campsites, good places to spend a couple of rest days. This easy trek visits the remote portions of Lake Yamdruk and skirts the holy mountain Tronang Sangwa Ri. A highlight of this itinerary is the unusual island monastery of Yonpodo, now a reviving monastic community. The best known monastery of Yamdrok Lake is Samding, an institution that welcomes men and women: Dorjee Phagmo was the only female incarnation in Tibet.
GYANTSE:
Gyantse is a small agricultural town famous for its wool carpets and the Palkhor Choide chorten. Amongst the ruins of the lamasery and the castle on a ridge overlooking the town and a walled monastic complex, this unique structure built in 14114 consists of five storeys representing the five steps to enlightenment, topped by thirteen rings which symbolize the stages of advancement toward Buddhism. Despite destruction of some old sections during the Cultural Revolution, the town has maintained its architectural brilliance.
LHATSE:
Lhatse is 151 km west of Shigatse on the friendship highway. It is situated at the crossroads from where the road turns westward towards Mt.Kailash. 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. It is easy to reach Lhatse; most vehicle.
SHIGATSE:
Shigatse is the second largest city in Tibet. It is also most famous for its Tashihunpo 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 by the first Dalai Lama are: the relics of Sakyamuni, the hall of Maitreya, and a huge collection of Thankas, frescoes and statues. There is also a bustling flee market at he foot of the ruins of the Shigatse fortress where one can buy local handicrafts embedded with coral and turquoise, Tibetan daggers and yak butter.
SAGA:
The town of Saga (ironically meaning Happy Land) is on the southern route to Mount Kailash and is also the last town. Saga County in North Lato is the region occupied by the upper Brahamaputra River and its tributaries, 14 km west of old Kyakya village and 58 km southwest of the Raga road junction. The river is crossed here via the Saga Chakzam Bridge. The town is strategically located at the intersection of three major motor routes, the Lhartse road from the east, the Dzonka road from the south, and the Purang and Drongpa road from the west.
LAKE MANASAROVAR:
Sacred Lake Manasarovar is located in West Tibet between Mt Kailash and the Gurla Mandhata Range. Lake Manasarovar is intimately associated with Mt Kailash, the holiest mountain for Buddhists and Hindus. Pilgrims gain religious merits by circumambulating its 100-km shoreline. Tibetans know it as a Mapham Tso, 'The Unconquerable Lake'. And for Hindus, Manasarovar floats beneath the shadow of holy Kailash as the lake formed in the mind of God. In any language, this is the holiest, most famous lake in Asia. The spectacular environment of Manasarovar, sandwiched between two high snow ranges, is one of the most dramatic in Tibet. The eight monasteries of Manasarovar were destroyed during the Cultural Revolution but recently most have been rebuilt. With Snow Mountains and turquoise lakes as a backdrop, the setting of these shrines is otherworldly.
MOUNT KAILASH:
Mt. Kailash (6714m), Asia's most sacred mountain is located in a high and isolated enclave of West Tibet. It is on of three pilgrimage sites in the area, known collectively as Kangri Tsosum. Mt Kailash is by any measure a stunningly beautiful mountain that stands completely alone in all its glory, with no other peaks near it. Its rounded cone is symmetrical; its distinctive horizontal and vertical striations give it the name Swastika Mountain. Deep valleys along its base allow pilgrims to circumambulate the entire mountain in one long day, a rare possibility in Tibet's high mountain world. The circuit around Mt Kailash, by comparison, takes three weeks. Many Tibetans pilgrims attempt more than one round and most do three. The more devout circle the mountain 13 times.
GUTSUO: is a military base camp situated at the start of the plateau, after passing through the Tonga Pass, from where the most panoramic view of the northern face of the Himalayas range unfolds. The best view of Mt Everest and its neighboring peaks can be seen from the road at Gutsuo. Accommodation here would be in tented camps or at the barracks itself.
SHEGAR (Xegar):
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 3000, its importance lies in the fact that its lies in the center of this large and remote country. It is also a base from where expedition to Mt. Everest and other peaks are launched. Presently accommodation is very spartan in rooms with mud floors and dry latrines. However, there are plans to build a modest lodge in its vicinity within a year's time.
SAKYA:
Before the Cultural Revolution, Sakya was one of the country's largest monasteries. Today pilgrims come primarily to pay homage to the fortress-like Lhakhang Chenmo, a centerpiece of the Tsang province. Sakya originally consisted of two large complexes, Sakya North and Sakya South, constructed on the north and south banks of the Trum River. It is also a major retreat center and contains a number of ancient monasteries and hermitages.
SAMYE:
The 8th century, Samye was the first and most important monastery founded in Tibet by a Yurlung King, and it formally inaugurated Buddhism as the state religion. As the royal chapel of the early kings, Samye is one of the most fascinating architectural showpieces in the country, even more so because of the unusual way in which it was created. The cathedral (Utse) is the only surviving temple in the country whose three floors were constructed in the different styles of Tibet, India and china. Samye also played a Pivotal role in the advancement of Buddhism in Tibet.
NYALAM:
The town of Nyalam lies deep within the gorge of Matsang Tsangpo at the point where both the river and the road cut through the Himalayan range. For centuries this has been the main trading post between India and Nepal. It was also known as 'kuti' to Nepalese traders. Nowadays barrack style Chinese communes surround the typical old, faltroofed, mud-brick houses. Although vegetation is sparse, one can see an abundance of alpine fauna on the hillside during the summer months.
ZHANGMU:
ZHANGMU is better known by its Tibetan name, Khasa, is a small settlement clinging to a hillside 10 km inland from the Friendship Bridge. After the closure of the China/India border from Gangtok, Zhangmu has become the major trading post between Tibet and Nepal. The hills around Zhangmu are heavily wooded with innumerable waterfalls in the summer and frozen icicles during the winter.
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