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Yamdrok-tso, one of the four holy lakes of the Tibetan people, is situated on the way from Lhasa to Gyangtze which is the old route from Lhasa to Shigatse. The bus travels up a 4794M high mountain through rugged muddy road before reaching the lake,the journey is really breathtaking since the bus drives right on the edge of the cliff. But all these will be rewarded when you suddenly find yourself on the top of the mountain and the stunningly beautiful blue lake under the other side of the peak.

The river, mysteriously hiding among the mountains, glitters under the sunny blue sky, as blue and shining as velvet. Together with the numerous snow-capped peaks around, the lake makes a wonderful scene by lingering its way through the green valleys and the fertile farming lands dotted by lovely little tibetan farm houses.

The fertile wetland on the vast bank of the lake is probably the richest earth in the arid land of Tibet. Every year thousands of birds gather here for the winter, the peaceful co-existence of birds, human and nature is an added charm of this attraction.

How to get there: Since no public buses run on this road, the best way to get there is to hire a car. The lake is about 150KM from Lhasa, just take the road from Lhasa to the airport and make a right turn (left turn to the airport) after the huge Qushui bridge across the Yalhungzangpo river, and the captioned mountain to ascend will be infront of you. A trip from Lhasa should take about 5 hours.

Sakya is 150km southwest of Shigatse (and 25km from Lhatse), and the 150km journey takes at least 6 hours. The monastery is set in the midst of a large plain straddling a river. The village around has become a Chinese community, and the Tibetans have become very corrupt.

What stands here today is the old Southern Monastery, an imposing Mongol-style structure. (The Northern Monastery was completely destroyed during the cultural revolution). The Monastery today still resembles a massive fortress, with turrets at each of the four corners of its huge walls. The views across to the mountains and the carvings thereon are wonderful. The monastery was built in 1268 and is designed with thick walls and guard towers. The Sakyapa sect of Tibetan Buddhism have ruled this temple throughout its history, famous for their custom of hereditary succession and patronage by Mongol rulers.

Inside the temple are many chapels and halls dedicated to various Buddhas such as Sakyamuni and Manjushri. Also, there are many large Buddha statues, some of which are actually burial vessels for former abbots of the Monastery. The central courtyard of the monastery features a huge prayer pole with chapels around the area.

For great views of the surrounding landscape, you can walk the great walls protecting the monastery.

How to get there:Buses from Shigatse to Sakya are available every other day, returning on the second day. One way fare should be around RMB55. Permits may be needed to visit Sakya, although the checking of permits occurs very infrequently. You can get a permit

Mount Jolmo Lungma (or Mount Everest as it is more commonly known), stands 8848 meters above sea level and means goddess in Tibetan. This is the highest mountain in the world, and is situated in the middle of the Himalayas on the border between China and Nepal. Snow covers the mountain all year round. The area around here is known as the 3rd pole of the world, and is surrounded by large glaciers and icebergs. Below the snow line is the forest of ice pagodas, scattered with deep ice caves and winding ice rivers. The highest temple in the world can also be found here —-Ronbu temple. Camps and sight seeing pavilions are dotted about at Everest base camp, 5000 meters away from the foot of the mountain.

Tashilhunpo Monastery, the home of the Panchen Lama, is located on the hillside overlooking Shigatse northwest of the town. It was established in 1447 by Genden Trup, a disciple of the founder of the Gelugpa Order. Genden Trup was later named the first Dalai Lama. Later, the fifth Dalai Lama named the Abbot of Tashilhunpo as the first Panchen Lama, second only to the Dalai Lama. Ever since then, the title of Panchen Lama has been one and the same with the Abbot of this monastery.

This temple for the most part escaped the ravages of the Cultural Revolution and its chapels contain countless statues and mural decorated halls. Find the Chapel of Maitreya as you enter the Monastery. Inside there is a 26 meter high statue of the Maitreya Buddha which is the largest bronze Buddha statue in the world. Also, the tombs (burial stupas or chorten) of most of the Panchen Lamas are housed in the Monastery. Worthy of note is the Tomb of the tenth Panchen Lama who passed away in 1989.

The most magnificent part of the Monastery is the Kelsang Temple in the northeast area of the compound. There, you’ll find enough chapels, statues and murals to keep you enthralled for several trips. Wander around and take it all in slowly. There is just too much in this one building, from Chapels dedicated to the Maitreya Buddha to the Tara protection goddesses.

How to get there: This is the main attraction in the town of Shigatse. You can’t miss it.
Opening hours: Theoretically from 9am to noon and 2pm to 5pm, but the monks may occasionally close down early or change the hours. If they try to shoo you off, don’t get angry, but try to smile and show them your ticket. Your getting angry just makes them more determined to close the monastery.
Cost: RMB40 entry fee. Photography fees of around RMB80, but negotiable.

While Rongphu Monastery cannot claim to be the oldest monastery in the world, it is certainly the highest, standing at a towering 4980 meters with one of the best views in the world. It can only be a matter of time until one of the major hotel chains tries to buy this place and turn it into one of the craziest but most breath taking places in the world to spend the night!

The monastery here was first built in 1902 by the Nyingma Lama and originally housed more than 500 monks. Today, only about 50 monks and nuns remain, sharing the same prayer hall but with separate residences. The monastery was renovated in 1983 and there are some wonderful murals in the interior worth looking at. You can also stay the night here, although the standards are pretty basic! There is a shop and a small restaurant here too and you are permitted to put up a tent outside too.

The most spectacular thing remains however, the views of Mount Everest. Experts argue that this is THE best spot in the world to see the famous mountain. The Everest Base Camp is a wonderful two hour walk from here through valleys, along cliffs and past boulders. Alternately, the trip to the base can be done in 15 minutes by car. Try and get here early in the day (or spend the night) as the view of Everest is at its best first thing in the morning.

The Gyantse Kumbum is one of Tibet’s most famous and impressive sights- a gorgeous and ornate building, the art work here is studied by Tibetan art scholars across the world.

The Temple was built in 1440 by Rabten Kunsangm, a Gyantse Prince and named “Kumbum” or the “Hall of 100 thousand images”. This is a spectacularly well preserved chorten, crowned with a golden dome and still containing literally thousands of wonderful murals. The interior too is largely intact and spread out over six levels. It could take up to half a day to explore properly here and there are more than 70 chapels on the first four levels alone. Scholars arrive with bags of reference books and flashlights to see some of the oldest preserved murals in Tibet. Rare in most Tibetan Monastaries, the monks in the Kumbum will allow unlimited picture taking of the marvelous Buddha statues for RMB10. If you don’t pay, they will kindly request that you leave your camera with them while visiting.The real highlight are the views from the sixth level where you emerge next to the chorten’s eyes. The surrounding countryside and the city below look very impressive from up here.

Cost: RMB15 to enter and RMB10 for photos.
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday: 9am to 12pm and 3pm-5pm.

Although Shalu Monastery is one of the most difficult sights in this region to visit, it is worth the effort if you have a few days to spend in the area. Shalu is situated about 19km southeast from Shigatse off the main Shigatse-Gyantse road.

A monastery here was first built in the 11th Century although Shalu rose to prominence in the 14th Century when the resident abbot here was the world’s foremost interpreter of Sanskrit Buddhist texts. The building here is a mixture of Tibetan and Han style architecture. The Tibetan style part of the building dates back to the 10th Century although very little of this has actually survived today. The Chinese influence is evident in the inner section of the monastery, the Serkhang, which was built in the 15th Century and has undergone major renovations in recent years. 14th Century Chinese and Nepalese murals adorn the walls.

How to get there: Take a Gyantse bound minibus from Shigatse and get off at Tsundu. The turning for Shalu is about 100m past a hill dotted with prayer flags. From here it is a one hour walk to Shalu village and monastery.Alternately, hire a jeep and driver and visit the monastery this way.