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LHASA
The capital of Tibet, at an altitude of 3650m, is situated on
the north of bank of Kyichu River, a tributary of the Yarlung
Tsangpo river. Lhasa in Tibetan means " Place of the Gods" and
Potala Palace, the Residence of Dalai Lama ( The God King), is
the earthly representation of the celestial Palace of
Avaloketeswora, The Buddha of infinite compassion whose ncarnation in the human form is believed to be the Dalai Lama.
It is a city truly blessed by the gods where life is unburied.
TSEDANG
Tsedang (Zetang) is the birthplace of earliest Tibetans and the
political and economical centre of Shangnan prefecture. It sits
on the south bank in the middle section of the Yarlung Tsangbo
River with a moderate climate at an altitude of 3,600 meters.
The nearby Yarlung River scenic area is a national scenic park
with Samye Monastery, Yumbu Lhakang Palace, burial site for
Tsampos and Traduk Monastery spotting the region. It is located
between two mountain ranges at the northern side of Himalayas,
to the south of Nyanchen Tanggula mountains, just by the Yalong
zangbu river, with land area over 800,000 square kilometers. The
Yalong river flows from the south through the area and empty
itself into Yalong zangbu river, hence the Yalong river formed a
huge river delta at its end when it merges into another.
GYANTSE
Is a pastoral town between Lhasa and Shigatse. It is 264km South
west of Lhasa. It still retains the charm of a traditional
Tibetan town untouched by modern expansion. It made world
headlines in 1904 when colonel Young Husband, who led a British
expedition to Tibet, defeated the Tibetan army there. As a
crossroads on the principle trade route to India, it used to be
renowned for the excellence of the carpets. The compound,
encircled by an impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries,
presided over by the still intact fortress Perched a top a
nearby mountain.
SHIGATSE
Shigatse, also Xigatse, means "fertile land" and stands at the
junction of the Yarlong Tsangpo and Nyangchu River. It used to
be the capital of Tsang and now is the capital of Shigatse
prefecture. The 600 year old city is the traditional seat of the
Panchen Lama, who is one of the two prestigious spiritual
leaders in Tibet and the abbot of the Tashilhunpo Monastery.
About 300 km from Lhasa, it is an important stop between Lhasa
and west Tibet where pilgrims and tourists often wander.
Shigatse has a population of over 80,000, of which 97% are
Tibetan. It is the second largest city within Tibet has
undergone large scale development. Most tourist facilities stand
along Jiefang Dong Lu, Beijing Bei Lu, Zhufeng Lu and Shandong
Lu. West of the market and below the Dzong is the old Tibetan
quarter where many people like to visit.
Shigatse, the second biggest city in Tibet is situated at the
altitude of 12,600 ft. It is the famous city for its great
Tashilhunpo 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 incredible collection of thanks,
frescoes and statues. There is also a dynamic 'free' market
where one can buy local handicraft embedded with coral and
turquoise, Tibetan Daggers, Chinese pottery and yak butter.
Since it is the second biggest city of Tibet, it is the center
for transportation and distribution of agriculture and other
products.
TINGIRI
Mount Qomolangma, also known as Mt. Everest, meaning Mother
Goddess of the Universe in Tibetan, is the highest peak in the
world. Standing at 8848 meters (29028 feet), snow capped
throughout the year, she lies at the border between China and
Nepal. The North Col of Everest is located in Tinggri (Shegar).
Massive glaciers and seracs feature a thrilling splendor. The
peak has been a holy climbing attraction for world's
mountaineers. In recent years, more and more mountaineers start
from the Everest Base Camp trying to conquer the world's highest
peak while tourists trek to the foot of the peak to enjoy its
beauty.
Starting 30 kilometers (20 miles) south from New Tinggri, one
will reach a checkpoint. 11 kilometers (7miles) west of the
checkpoint, a new road and an old one turn off south to Everest
Base Camp. A 78-kilometer (48-mile) trek leads to Rongbuk
Monastery, which is the highest monastery on the earth. Its
altitude is 5,100 meters (16728 feet). The monastery was founded
in 1899, as a Nyingmapa monastery, it was said that once
Padmasambhava, founder of Nyingmapa, proceeded his religious
cultivation here. The monastery, having 8 sub-monasteries
including a nunnery, was destroyed in the Cultural Revolution,
is gradually being restored. It houses Lamas and nuns in the
same monastery. Sakyamuni and Padmasambhava are enshrined in the
small temple. Pilgrims treks a long way to pay votive offerings
or see lamas playing operas during big Buddhist days.
Rongbuk has a hostel having 100 beds. A dinning room and a
store, where tourists and mountaineers could cook and beer are
also available. 300 meters (980 feet) south of the monastery is
the famous Rongbuk Glacier. A distance of 10 kilometers (6
miles) lies between the monastery and Everest Base Camp.
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