Traveling in Tibet & the Town of Shigatse, China

There were many Land Cruisers on the road, but our traveling was done entirely by van. We were probably on the road for over 10 hours in total, so it would have been comfortable. Although, we did stick to the main roads so our traveling really didn't require one.

All the commuting photos were taken from the moving vehicle. This is also why you'll see many snapshots of the rear view mirror. In this photo, our driver patiently waited for the sheep to cross.

Well, maybe not patiently, but he was basically waiting.

There were many areas like this on our drive.

A crossing with many prayer flags.

We stopped for a restroom break & found this tractor. Someone has spent some decorating this one.

Yaks are extremely important to the Tibetans. They provide milk, meat, wool, ride, pack and pull.

Recently tilled land.

There are many different highways in the world with the name, Friendship Highway. This small town, Panam, happens to be located on one of them. This Friendship Highway unfolds about 450 miles, linking Lhasa to the border of Nepal. Once the proper documentation has been presented, the Friendship Bridge allows further travel to Kathmandu.

The main street of Panam, but slightly before the central area seen above.

These were some of the nicer looking farm houses amid our commute. After mentioning the size of these homes, our guide informed us that the first floor served as a barn.

Yaks have long horse-like tails that are trimmed off, colored & decorated. They are then mounted near the front of the yak, as an adorning form of respect.

This is one of a few days when it snowed in the mountains.

No problem... Our driver knew how to deal with this common site.

Shigatse

At 80,000 people, Shigatse is the second largest town & continues to develop. It's main attraction is the Tashilhunpo Monastery or also known as Zhashenlunbu Temple.

Tashilhunpo Monastery once accomodated over 4,000 monks, but currently has around 600. The white standing wall to the right is used for enormous Thangkas during ceremonies.

Stupas on the walk up the temple hill.

Pathway to view the roof chapels.

Passageway to view the roof chapels.

The symbol of a Buddhist temple. It may be difficult to see, but there's a penny on the bottom right.

Rising above are the two-tiered roof chapels.

A statue display of a tourist photographing a Tibetan mother & child. At one point during our trip, Paul & I had the chance to visit a small art gallery. The paintings clearly expressed the Tibetans' concerns.

This is a developed Chinese area.

I was glad to see more traditional style buildings being constructed.

Gyantse- Tibet, China

Gyantse rises to an elevation of 13,050 feet. This town was very small, but still happens to be the third largest in Tibet. It had a much different feel than Lhasa. This town hasn't been swamped with all the tourist shops.

In my research, I've found this place to be labeled four different names. Usuing only two of those, it can be called Baiju Temple or the Pelkhor Chode Monastery. Prayer wheels on either side are used for both entering & departing. Pelkhor Chode Moastery was built in 1427.

This stupa, on the left, has 9 tiers & 108 chapels. It was completed in 1422.

A closer view of Kumbum Chorten, or 10,000 Images Stupa. Each tier has a different floor that can be circumambulated.

An even view with the upper layers of Kumbum Chorten. There were so many rooms, or chapels, on each tier! I believe this is the biggest stupa in Tibet.

The Gyantse Fortress wall in the northern background.

On top of the first building, looking west.

A view of Gyantse with the Dzong Fortress towering above.

Prayer Wheels

Paul & I stopped for a photo with our tour guide, Kelsang. He spoke his native language of Tibetan & also spoke in Mandarin & English. He was a very knowledgeable guide, especially when it came to asking questions about Tibetan culture. I highly recommend a Tibetan guide!

Kelsang left us alone each day to venture out on the streets. Did I already mention that this town had a much different feel than Lhasa? This was more of what I was expecting from Tibet.

Another street photo with some of the mountains in the background. Odd to think that the mountains surround this town when it's at 13,050 feet.

The front side of Dzong Fortress.

If you expand this, you can see people who were climbing up the path. It also puts the size of this fortress into perspective.