Insight Nepal | TIBET - Roof of the World

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Potala Palace :

This legendary palace built atop a single hill is synonymous with Tibet. First built in the 7th century as a fortress by Tibet's foremost king, Songtsen Gampo. It was expanded to its present state by the 5th Dalai Lama in the 17th century. This 13 storied, 1000 room citadel served as the headquarters of the former "Church-state' of Tibet and was home to successive Dalai Lamas who, from the latter half of the 18th century, used it as their Winter Palace.

Norbulinka :

The 'Jewel Park' as it is known in Tibetan, was built in the 18th century and served as the summer Palace of the Dalai Lamas. This colorful garden landscape was the site of picnic and public gathering. The palaces are richly decorated, creating an atmosphere of peaceful repose.

The Jokhang Temples :

Situated in the heart of old Lhasa, The Jhokhang houses Tibet's most precious religious relic, a golden Shakyamuni Buddha, which was brought as a gift by the Chinese Princess Wen Cheng on the occasion of her wedding to the Tibetan King, Songtsen Gampo. Surrounding the Jokhang Temple is the bustling Barkhor market place, which is the religious and social focus of Lhasa.

Drepung Monastry :

Said to be the largest monastery in the world housing over 10,000 monks, it was founded in 1416 by the disciple of Je Tsonkhapa, founder of the yellow hat Gelukpa sect of Tibetan Buddhism. The Second, Third and Fourth Dalai Lamas lived and were entombed here. Drepung in Tibetan means 'rice-mound'.

Drak Yerpa :

Drak Yerpa is about two hours drive by jeep from Lhasa. The road climbs steady through the terraced barley field of the fertile Yerpa Valley till the Chorten guarding the entrance to the Yerpa Complex.

A steady climb to the vantage point reveals the meditation caves of many master yogins including Emperor Songten Gampo and Guru Rimpoche and several of his disciples.

The climb to the caves is demanding but most interesting and the view of the Yarpa Valley and the snow-covered peaks beyond, is absolutely fabulous

Tsurphu :

It is often called Tulung Churbu Gompa. It lies at about 70 Km North-east of Lhasa and it was one of the famous monastery of the Kagyupa sect. Tshurphu Monastery can be reached in about two hours drive. An interesting hike along the ridge behind the monastery can be made in an hour’s time. Tsurphu was the seat of the Karmapa who is now at the Dharmasala in India.

Ganden :

Ganden Monastery was founded by Je Tsongkapa in 1409 and it was the first of the three great Geluk monasteries (Ganden, Drepung & Sera). The Gompa is situated at an altitude of some 4,750m crowning the ridge with a spectacular view of the Kyichu valley. The Gompa was severely destroyed during the Cultural Revolution in 1966 and by 1986 sixteen of the apocryphal 108 temples of Ganden was restored. It takes about an hour long to circumambulate the entire complex

Tsedang :

Tsedang is situated 170 Km southeast of Lhasa in the Yarlung Valley along the banks of the Tsangpo River (Brahmaputra), the cradle of Tibetan civilization. This region abounds in important historical landmarks such as Samye, Yumbulakhhang, Chonggye, Mindroling and others.

Samye :

Samye lies across the Tsangpo River, about 40 Km to the west of Tsedangx. It is the first monastery built by King Trisong Detsen in the latter part of the 8th century. Samye Monastery combines 3 distinctive architectural styles: that of India, China and Tibet symbolizing the source, stability and spread of the Buddhist faith. With the building of this monastery, the community of monks began.

Yumbulakhang :

Situated about 12 km south of Tsedang, it is the first palace built by the Tibetans for their first recorded King Nyatri Tsenpo, who is believed to have descended from heaven. It is a 5 storey fortress-like dwelling built on the spur of a hill that commands an impressive view of the entire fertile valley. It was destroyed during the Cultural Revolution and the present structure is an exact replica of the original rebuilt in 1982.

Chonggye :

In a valley south of Tsedang lie the famous tombs of the early kings of Tibet. Among the numerous tombs there, the biggest and the most distinguishable one is that of King Songtsen Gampo the foremost king of Tibet.

Mindroling :

It is one of the largest and most important Nyingmapa monasteries in Central Tibet. Founded in the 17th century, it became a center of learning where officials of the lay government in Lhasa would traditionally be sent to study.

Gyangste :

Gyangtse is a pastoral town between Lhasa and Shigatse. It is 264 Km southwest of Lhasa. It still retains the charm of a traditional Tibetan town untouched by modern expansion. It made world headlines in 1904 when Colonel Younghusband, who led a British Expedition to Tibet, defeated the Tibetan army there. As a crossroad on the principle trade route to India, it used to be renowned for the excellence of its carpets. The compound, encircled by an impressive wall, once contained 19 monasteries, presided over by the still intact fortress perched atop a nearby mountain.

Shigatse :