Lhasa:- City capital of Tibet Autonomous Region. It is on a tributary of the Yarlung Zangbo (Brahmaputra) at an altitude of (3,600 m). Lhasa is the chief Tibetan trade center, connected by road with the Chinese provinces of Qinghai, Sichuan, and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, and with India, Kashmir, and Nepal; in 2006 it was connected by rail with Qinghai. Chemicals, motors, and wool and leather products are manufactured. Because of the remoteness of the city and the traditional hostility of the Tibetan clergy toward foreigners, Lhasa has long been called the Forbidden City. Prior to the Chinese occupation (1951) of Tibet, Lhasa was the center of Lamaism and about half its population were Lamaist monks. Lhasa has little noteworthy architecture, but there are impressive religious edifices. On a nearby hill, backed by lofty mountains in the distance, stands the magnificent Potala, the former palace of the Dalai Lama, a gigantic block of buildings nine stories high, whitewashed save for the central portion, which is red, and surmounted by gilded roofs and towers. It has reception rooms, chapels, and quarters for thousands of monks. A smaller palace of the Dalai Lama is set in the beautifully wooded grounds of Jewel Park. Near the city is the Drepung monastery, one of the largest in the world. The holiest temple in Lhasa, unimpressive from the outside, is the Jokang, which contains a jeweled image of the young Buddha. Several of the religious edifices were damaged during China's imposition of direct political control over Tibet (1959-60), during which the Dalai Lama and other Tibetans fled to India. Increased protests and uprisings in the late 1980s against Chinese control of Tibet led China to impose (Mar 1989) martial law on the region. A modern highway bridge, made of reinforced concrete (730 m long), crosses the river at Lhasa. The city's name also appears as Lassa.

 

 

Potala Palace : The Potala, one of the most famous architectural works, is erected on top of the Red Hill in Lhasa. The word "Potala" comes from Sanskrit. In 7th century, after the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo's marriage with Princes Wencheng of the Tang Court, the Palace was built for meditation. In the mid -17th century, it was rebuilt by the 5th Dalai Lama to its present size, and ever since it became the Winter Palace of the Dalai Lamas. The construction took fifty years from its beginning to completion. The Potala is divided into two sections, namely, the Red Palace and White Palace. The total height of the Potala is 117m which is built in thirteen storeys, the length of the Potala from east to west has 400m and the breadth from south to north has 350m. The whole building is a structure of stone and timber. ream of Tibetan culture and complex of Tibetan and Han culture.

 

Shigatse:- which is at the confluence of the Nyang chu with the Tsangpo, contains about 9000 in-habitants (exclusive of priests), and is about 4 m. long by a m. broad. About r m. to the north-east is situated a monastery called Konkalifig, whilst to the south-west is the far-famed Tashilhunpo monastery, the residence of one of the See also:great high priests of Tibet, co-equal with the Dalai-Lama of Lhasa . Between the Tashilhunpo monastery and the city is the Thom or open market, where all the business of the place is daily trans-acted. A wall about r m. in circumference surrounds the Tashilhunpo monastery, within which are numerous temples and houses, four of the larger temples being decorated with gilded spires . A great wealth of jewels and precious metal is said to enrich the numerous idols of Tashilhunpo . The monastery maintains 3300 priests. The city is protected by a fort which stands on a low hill to the north-west, and a garrison of rood Tibetan soldiers is quartered here. The municipal government is in the hands of two depen assisted by resident Jongpons. The soil around Shigatse is rich and productive, the elevation being between 11,000 and 12,000 ft. Shigatse lay to the west of the British route of advance on Lhasa in 1904, but it was visited by Captain Rawling on his way to open the market at Gartok.

 

Gyantse:- It lays South East Of Shigatse, (130 M.) from the Indian frontier and (145 M.) from Lhasa . Its central position at the junction of the roads from India and Bhutan with those from Ladakh and Central Asia leading to Lhasa makes it a considerable distributing trade centre. Its Market is the third largest in Tibet, coming after Lhasa and Shigatse, and is especially celebrated for its woollen cloth and carpet manufactures. Here caravans come from Ladakh,Nepal and upper Tibet, bringing gold, borax, salt, wool,musk and furs, to exchange for tea, tobacco, sugar, cotton goods . Broadcloth and hardware. The Town is compactly built of stone houses, with wooden balconies facing the main street, whence narrow lanes strike off into uninviting slums, and contains a fort and monastery. In the British expedition of 1904 Gyantse formed the first objective of the advance, and the force was besieged here in the mission post of Changlo for some time . The Tibetans made a night attack on the post, and were beaten off with some difficulty, but subsequently the British attacked and stormed the fort or jong. Under the treaty of 1904 a British trade agent is stationed at Gyantse .

 

Tsedang:- Tsedang in Tibet is a sinfully attractive tourist destination. Tsedang weaves a magic spell on you as you trek through rocky terrain dotted with enchanting Tibetan homes, local bazaars and Buddhist monasteries. Explore the Samye monastery and tombs of ancient Tibetan kings on your Tsedang tours on a Tibet experience with Skyline Treks. Tour the Yambu Lakhang monastery on a revealing Tsedang tour and holiday. The Samye Monastery was established in 775 A.D. and is one of the first Buddhist monasteries that was constructed in Tibet. The main building at the Samye monastery is a three-storied tower with decorative interiors that reflects a pleasant amalgamation of Tibetan and Indian decor styles. Ride a horse to local nunneries and ancient caves located close by. See the intriguing tombs of kings of Tibet who ruled supreme from the 7th to the 9th century. These tombs are located in Chonggye at a distance of 27 kilometers from the main Tsedang city. The largest tomb belongs to Songsten Gampo. Marvel at the stone lions that squat in front of King Tride Songsten's tomb and enjoy the cultural wealth of Himalayan Tibet on your tours to Tsedang with skyline Treks. Ride a wooden ferry on the Yalunzangbu River and get a feel of the crisp Himalayan air as you see the most stunning scenic vistas.

 

Zhangmu:- Zhangmu is a customs town and port of entry located in Nyalam County on the Nepal - Tibet border, just uphill and across the Bhote Kosi River from the Nepalese town of Kodari. At "merely" 2300 meters elevation about the sea level, Zhangmu has mild and humid subtropical climate, which is a rarity for Tibet. Trucks traveling on the Friendship Highway offload goods at Zhangmu and transfer them to trucks from the opposite country. The single narrow zigzag street of Zhangmu makes this an especially difficult operation.

Tingri:- Tingri is a small town along the Friendship Highway about 190kms before the Nepal border. Tingri, also known as Old Tingri, is a one street town that has plenty of small restaurants guesthouses, shops...and dogs. Most people stay in Tingri for a night on their way from Mt. Everest Base Camp. Though it isn't the most comfortable place to stay along the route from Lhasa to Nepal, the excellent views of the Himalaya's make it a worth while stop. The view looking south of the town offers a sweeping view of the Himalaya's including Everest and Cho Oyu, the 6th highest mountain in the world. Great views of Cho Oyu (below) can be seen about 20kms south of Tingri heading towards Everest. Tingri has several good guesthouses to stay in and all of them have restauratns serving basic Tibetan and some wesern food. All of the guesthouses offer clean sheets and plenty of blankets. Tingri sits at (4300m.) and has some very cold winters. No place in town has rooms with private bathrooms or showers, but most of the guesthouses have a separate shower house with plenty of hot water. Showers are around Y10 per person. Tingri often has limited electricity with the power coming on until around 7pm and staying on until around midnight.

 

 

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.

 

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.